عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، - رضى الله عنه - أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ فَإِنْ غُمِّيَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَكْمِلُوا الْعَدَدَ

Sahih Muslim

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

"Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete the number (of thirty)".

Understanding the Variance in Eidul Fitr Celebrations in Ghana

The question of why Muslim sects in Ghana celebrate Eidul Fitr on different days is indeed thought-provoking. To understand this phenomenon, let's delve into the history and context of Muslim celebrations in Ghana.

In an interview with Sheikh Musa Abubakar, Administrator of the National Hilal Committee and the Administrative Secretary to the National Chief Imam, Ghana. He said;

1. Formation of the National Hilal Committee:
   After the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana, President Jerry John Rawlings encouraged all religious denominations to register for proper accreditation. In response, Muslim leaders convened a meeting to discuss unity and cooperation. Despite this effort, differences in interpreting the lunar calendar have led to variations in celebrating Eidul Fitr".
2. Addressing Disunity:
   The observation of Eidul Fitr festivals on separate days highlighted the need for unity among Muslims in Ghana. To address this issue, a meeting was convened to discuss ways to promote uniformity in observing Islamic holidays. Furthermore, the meeting aimed to push for Eid festivals to be recognized as public holidays".
3. Sighting the Crescent Locally:
   During the meeting, the late Ameer and Missionary In-charge, Wahab Adam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Ghana presented a compelling argument from Sahih Muslim, and cited an authentic hadith that narrates the story of a companion who traveled from Syria to Madina, emphasizing the importance of sighting the crescent in your own country to commence Ramadan and not to depend on neighbouring countries. This tradition had been compromised, as some Muslims in Ghana relied on informations from countries like Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to determine the start of Ramadan and Eidul Fitr in Ghana".
   

   Below was the hadith the late Ameer Wahab Adam made reference to.

   " Kurayb reported: I came to Syria and tended to my needs. The crescent of Ramadan appeared over me while I was in Syria and I saw it on Friday, then I came to Medina at the end of the month. Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, asked me about it and I mentioned the crescent. Ibn Abbas said, “When did you see it?” I said, “We saw it on Friday night.” Ibn Abbas said, “You saw it?” I said, “Yes, people saw it and they fasted, as did Mu’awiyah.” Ibn Abbas said, “But we saw it on Saturday night, so we will continue fasting until we complete thirty days or we see it.” I said, “Is it not enough that Mu’awiyah saw it and he fasted?” Ibn Abbas said, “No, such was the command of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.”

   (Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1087)

4. Establishment of the National Hilal Committee:
   Maulvi Wahab Adam pioneered the idea of forming the Hilal committee and so in 1994, the committee was formed. The Chairman of the National Hilal Committee, Ghana is Sheikh Yusuf Alhassan Umar Farouk (Yusufiyya).
5. Government Recognition:
   When the crescent is sighted, a formal request for a statutory holiday is sent to the government, jointly signed by the Ameer and Missionary In-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the Office of the National Chief Imam.
6. Challenges and Opposition:
   Since the establishment of the National Hilal Committee, The Ahle Sunnah wal Jamaa' declined to participate due to the differences of beliefs they have from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

Eidul Ad-haa: A Unified Celebration

Unlike Eidul Fitr, Eidul Ad-haa is observed on the same day across Ghana, as it is tied to the Hajj pilgrimage, which follows a standardized calendar.

The Hilal Committee: Unifying Muslims in Ghana Through Lunar Sightings

In 1994, the National Hilal Committee was established to unify Muslims in Ghana in sighting the crescent for Ramadan, Eidul Fitr, and Eidul Ad-haa. The committee currently comprises representatives from various Muslim sects, including the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Tijjaniyya Muslim group, Ghana Muslims, Istiqaamah, and Shia Muslims.

Functions of the Hilal Committee:

1. Sighting the crescent to determine the start of Ramadan.
2. Sighting the crescent to celebrate Eidul Fitr and Eidul Ad-haa.
3. Calling on the government for statutory holidays on Eid festivals.

Ensuring Authenticity in Crescent Sightings

In an interview granted by the Chairman of the National Hilal Committee, Ghana, Sheikh Yusuf Alhassan Umar Farouk (Yusufiyya).He said;

To verify crescent sightings, the Hilal Committee follows a strict process:

1. Initial reports are sent to district Imams.
2. Reports are forwarded to regional Imams.
3. The National Hilal Committee verifies reports from regional Imams.
4. Advanced technology and trained personnel confirm sightings.
5. Both Shariah principles and technical expertise ensure accuracy.

Key Facts

1. Lunar months are either 29 or 30 days.
2. Eidul Fitr cannot be declared before the 29th day of Ramadan.
3. The Office of the National Chief Imam must notify the government in advance for public holidays.
4. The National Chief Imam prioritizes completing 30 days of fasting when necessary for accuracy.

Future Aspirations

• The Hilal Committee has long advocated for two statutory holidays for Eid celebrations.
• The 2019 amendment to the Public Holiday Act allows the President to declare additional holidays.
• Former President John Dramani Mahama pledged support for this cause, and the Muslim community remains hopeful.

Challenges Faced by the National Hilal Committee

1. Lack of Funds – Limited resources hinder the committee’s operations.
2. No Means of Transportation – Traveling for crescent sighting is challenging.
3. Need for Astronomy Education – The committee advocates for astronomy as a university discipline to train experts in moon sighting.

Recent Developments

• Henceforth, instead of two weeks, the Committee will inform the National Chief Imam (NIC) on the proposed date for the Eid, a week before the Eid celebration.
• Efforts will be made to collaborate with the Khalifa of the Jallow fraternity (the Tijjaniyya Muslim Council, Ghana) for collective decision making.
• The Hilal Committee has been advocating for a two-day statutory holiday for Eid celebrations for 15 years and will remind the government again this year.
• The crescent will be observed on February 28, 2025, to determine the start of Ramadan. If sighted, fasting begins on March 1, 2025; otherwise, it starts on March 2, 2025.
• The crescent will also be observed on March 29, 2025, to determine Eidul Fitr. If sighted, Eid falls on March 30, 2025; otherwise, it will be on March 31, 2025.

Conclusion

May Allah continue to unite us and strengthen our bonds of brotherhood. May the National Hilal Committee continue to thrive in its mission

By: Maulvi Hafiz Usman Mohammed