Muslims Divided over When to Observe Holidays

March 10, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On March 10, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported on a split among Muslims on when to observe key Islamic holidays, which is based on the lunar calendar. "A large block of American mosques--relying more on science and less on the human eye--this year came to a different conclusion from authorities in Mecca, Saudi Arabia" on when the new moon appeared in the sky. Muzammil Siddiqi, president of the Islamic Society of North America, is planning to meet soon with both American and Middle Eastern Muslims to work out an agreement.