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Muslims in Holland, Three Opinions for the Start of Ramadan
By Khaled Shoukat
LAHAI, Holland, Nov 15 (IslamOnline) - Every year, Muslims in Holland have three different stances regarding the start of Ramadan. These differences do not go back to religious considerations or for discrepancies among various schools of thought which they follow. Instead, these differences are the result of nationalistic and sectarian differences.
Some Muslims in Holland feel that it is best to follow Saudi Arabia in determining the first day of the Holy month. This is primarily because it is the country which contains sacred emotions for Muslims and which is highly involved with other Muslim activities, such as the Hajj and the annual congregation on Mount Arafat.
One of the leading advocates for this approach is Sheikh Khalil al-Momni, the imam (religious leader) for the Al-Nasr mosque, one of the largest mosques in Holland.
Every year, in his Friday Khutbas (speeches) which precede Ramadan, al-Momni emphasizes that the unity of Muslims depends on being unified in abiding by the stance taken by the custodian of the Islamic sentiments in Mecca and Medina, referring to Saudi Arabia.
He added that Muslims do not have to abide by the decisions of their countries, which normally have political considerations.
The second opinion of the Muslims in Holland holds that there must be conformation between the sighting of the moon and astronomical calculations. This stance was adopted by the European Council for Fatwa (ruling), headed by a prominent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Youssef Al Qaradawi.
The third view is that Muslims should adhere to Islamic jurisprudence in determining the first day of Ramadan, instead of following political considerations. Indeed, some Muslims who hold this opinion feel that Ramadan is tradition, not a religious obligation.
These Muslims feel it is necessary to abide by the prevailing decision in one's country of origin, especially if this country is an extremely religious country like Iran or Morocco.
The third opinion has advocates among non-religious Muslims, especially those who handle administrative responsibilities in organizations that are closely related to their native lands.
Local authorities usually try to attend celebrations that are held by embassies of the home countries, which mark these traditional celebrations according their own country's dates.
The split of opinion before the start of Ramadan, and what follows for the split of Eid dates, has had a negative effect on Muslim community in Holland.
This is especially the case when Muslims try to get a public holiday on Islamic occasions. Some Muslims feel that the confusion over dates is used as an excuse by Holland's government to refuse these requests.
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