Officials from different Islamic agencies tried to view the moon but failed to find the beautiful slim crescent in the sky

By Kazi Mahmood, IOL Southeast Asia correspondent

KUALA LUMPUR, October 25 (IslamOnline.net) - South East Asian nations will start fasting in unison Monday, October 27, with Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore announcing that the first day of the holy month was to coincide this year, according to news reports Saturday, October 25.

“With the powers vested in me, I am announcing that the first day of the holy month of Ramadan will be Monday,” the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal said on Malaysian national television Saturday night.

The announcement was telecast on television and radio on the instructions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Malaysian King) after receiving the consent of the Malay rulers.

It is not the first time that the Muslims in the SEA region will start the holy month together, on the same day with a little difference in the time zone.

Indonesia announced Friday that Ramadan will definitely fall Monday while Singapore had already fixed the day for Monday well in advance.

Malaysian families were seen heading for shopping complexes and other entertainment centers Saturday afternoon, bringing their children for a last round rides before the month of fasting begins.

In Kuala Lumpur, officials from different Islamic agencies went as far as the sea fronts to view the moon Saturday night but failed to find the beautiful slim crescent in the sky.

A decision was then reached among the responsible parties, including the Malay rulers, to announce the first day of fasting for Monday.

The entire country will follow the decision, including the states held by the opposition Party Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), unlike Indonesia where some people may start the Ramadan on Sunday itself.

In Indonesia, a large minority of Muslims does not follow the government’s decision to declare Monday as the 1st of Ramadan and will start fasting as early as Sunday.

Last year, the largest Muslim country on earth celebrated Eid el Fitri on two distinctive days, with members of the Muhamadiyah group; the second largest Islamic organization in the country celebrating the holy festival a day before the official date.

The Muhamadiyah may start fasting Sunday if it sees the moon though no official decision has been announced yet by the organization that claims 30 million members across the country.

In Singapore, the people of Islamic faith, representing 15 percent of the 4 million population are content to follow the directives of the government that decided to start fixing the beginning of the Ramadan and the celebration of the Eid on specific days.

Singapore does not allow Muslims to sight the moon and decide on fasting because it feels the Eid holidays must be fixed in order to prevent any disorders and economic loss due to the inconsistent nature of moon sighting.

Brunei the tiny sultanate on the tip of Borneo Island will follow Malaysia to start Ramadan and will also celebrate the Eid according to Malaysia.

The only difference will be in the Philippines where moon sighting is still an adventure for many and the first day of Ramadan may vary from the other major countries in the region.

As of the time of writing, however, it was uncertain whether the Muslims in Mindanao will be celebrating Ramadan Sunday or Monday.