Moon sighting has always been a controversial issue among Muslim countries, and even scholars seem at odds over the issue.

VIENNA — Austrian Muslims agreed to follow Saudi Arabia in determining the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan following years of division among different ethnicities who make up the Muslim minority in the northern European country.

"The council of Muslim organizations and societies in Austria has recommended that all Muslims in the country start fasting on the same day this Ramadan and follow the Saudi moon sighting," the council's coordinator Mohammad Abdel Ghani told IslamOnline.net on Sunday, September 10.

Abdel Ghani said Austrian Muslims had been split on the start of the holy month with some following their native country like Egypt, Syria and Turkey.

"We want all Muslims to start fasting and celebrating `Eid in unison," he said.

"We already follow Saudi Arabia in pilgrimage and most of Muslims tend to be guided by it," in religious affairs, he added.

The Muslim leader noted that the council's decision is non-binding.

"We cannot force people to fast or break their fast," he said. "But council members can influence Muslim locals."

The nascent council, established in 2005, is comprised of imams of mosques across Austria, representatives of Islamic and Arab organizations and activists.

Muslims are estimated at 400,000, making up 4% of Austria's 8 million population.

Islam, which was officially acknowledged in Austria in 1912, is considered the second religion in the country after Catholic Christianity.

Muslim Unity

Abdel Ghani hoped that Muslims all over the world will unify the start of Ramadan fasting.

"One moon sighting and a unified start of Ramadan would consolidate Muslim unity."

During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain during daylight hours from food, drink, smoking and sex.

The Islamic Crescent Observation Project (ICOP) has said that the first day of the holy fasting month will astronomically fall on September 24.

Moon sighting has always been a controversial issue among Muslim countries, and even scholars seem at odds over the issue.

One group says that Muslims everywhere should abide by the lunar calendar of Saudi Arabia.

A second, however, believes that the authority in charge of ascertaining the sighting of the moon in a given country announces the sighting of the new moon, then Muslims in the country should all abide by this.