Islamic Center Cypress

The Islamic Center Cypress has accepted a moon sighting in North America for the commencement of Shawwaal. We wish you all a Blessed, Peaceful, and Happy Eid, inshaAllah!

{ Edited 10:30 pm: }
The Eid program begins with the lecture at 7:30 am and Eid Salaah thereafter at 7:45 am.

Updated @ 9:00 p.m. : The Islamic Center Cypress is declaring the first day of Ramadaan to be Friday, September 14, 2007, inshaAllah, due to unreliable sightings. InshaAllah, we look forward to seeing you all for Taraweeh starting September 13, at 8:45 pm.

May Allah give you a month that is full of barakah and rahmah, ameen!

The Islamic Center Cypress has accepted today’s sighting of the new moon, based on reports from the state of Washington and Vancouver. Thus, our first day of Ramadaan will be Thursday, September 13 2007.

For your convenience, a Ramadaan timetable with iqaama times is available for download here.

The ICC has accepted April 19, 2007 to be the first day of Rabi al Thani 1428.

The ICC has accepted March 20, 2007 to be the first day of Rabi al Awwal 1428.

The ICC has accepted February 19, 2007 to be the first day of Saffar 1428.

The ICC has accepted January 20, 2007 to be the first day of Muharram 1428.

We are waiting on information regarding the actual sighting of the moon in North America in order to determine the date for Eid al Fitr. This page will be updated with the confirmed date by 10:00 pm PST, inshaAllah. Jazakallah Khair.

We have accepted the shahaadah of credible witnesses in San Diego. Other institutes to accept this ruling include Zaytuna Institute (in Northern California) and Dar ul Madania (in Buffalo)

Isha salaah commences at 8:30 pm, and shortly following it will be the Taraweeh salaah.

Many people, understandably, are very perplexed as to why we always begin/end Ramadaan differently from the general Muslim community. As a visitor had raised this question, it might be appropo to re-present our answer to him.

We are a little more inclined to include both religious and scientific data to aid us in our decision-making process. We are people literate in the Shari’a, and we prefer both these sets of data to govern our decision-making process.

Please consider the following. Some say the ‘moon has been sightd in Corona’ as if it is a matter of fact!!! Who saw the moon in Corona? Does he/she have a name? How many people ’saw it in Corona’? Does the muslim seeing it have a phone number? Does the seer have an address? Was the person(s) prepared for an interview regarding the credibility of her/his so called ’sighting’?

Scientifically, this sighting was close to impossible! We have been in contact with the major scientists within the United States of America. Each scientist that we have spoken to had made mention of the following: ‘regarding the sightability of the moon with the eye, it would be impossible.’ Must we follow an unknown Corona or credible Muslim scientists?

If you are confident that you followed the correct day, than let not guilt bother you and make you take part in unnecessary debating. Stay focused on deen, turn to Allah and pray for all people.

Since you seem like you truly want answers to guide you in this process (maybe I am wrong, but I have good thoughts about people that email or communicate with us), learn the following issues pertaining to the moon: What is the birth of moon? At birth, can one see with the naked eye? How many hours after its birth can people see it? How does visibility affect sightability? What are the latidudes (angles) of visibility? Can all places see it when its visibile or does visibility refer to specific time(s) and place(s)… Where are these places? These are only a few questions to get you started! We are confident that when you study these basic issues pertaining to the moon, you will not fall for dubious abd incredible sightings. May God increase our knowlege! Ameen!