Re: Deciding on the Moon
If I tell you what time will be the sunset on Dec 21st 2007, no one will have any problem. Everybody is fine with that calculation and they do not see the need of first actually seeing the sun set, before they offer maghrib prayer. But when we talk about Moon, when it will become visible, using a very similar method, suddenly its an issue for everybody.
Peace Robert
The sunset times have been ratified, but current research is being done to ratify the crescent moon sighting predictions alongside their reported sightings. When there is enough confidence then I assume it is only a matter of time that adoption will be made. However, I believe there are techincal issues in that moon sighting has been seen as a distinct tradition and for tradition's sake it should continue as a pracitce in it's own right.