Islam and the moon phases

I'll_buy_that

Critical Thinker
I'll_buy_that
Joined
Oct 16, 2002
Messages
386
Satellite for tracking moon

I don't get it. Can someone explain why they cannot use the same predictor as everyone else? The moon moves in a predictable pattern, why spend $8million to just do what astronomers have already done?
 
It was not immediately clear how many countries would use the technology to determine religious dates. There is already some criticism from religious officials in Saudi Arabia, which uses the lunar calendar.
"The shape of the moon has to be seen from the ground," said Osama al-Bar, dean of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Haj Research in Saudi Arabia.
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It's a silly attempt to get all the moon observers to agree, but as you see they've already failed.
 
why is it so important that it be observed? What if there was heavy cloud cover over Saudi Arabia for a couple of weeks and the moon could not be physically observed? would it never reach the phase they are shooting for?

The moon moves in a very predicatable fasion, for years out we can calculate its phase to a great degree of accuracy, why can't a calendar be put together for Islam worship like in other faiths that use the moon phases for holidays?
 
I wonder if they even see the supreme irony of using millions of dollars worth of the very latest science and technology to determine imaginary dates for a religious calendar. Utter lunacy.
 
For a chuckle read some of the comments attatched to that article...

IT'S A TRICK!!
by: skintigh (29/M/San Antonio, TX) 04/25/05 11:45 am
Msg: 375 of 379

It's really a dude in a sattelite with a whole lot of explosives and he's going to drive it into the ISS and blow it up.
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Don't give 'em Technology
by: karmafielder (55/Swanny , MI) 04/25/05 10:45 am
Msg: 373 of 379

They will get pissed if we transfer all satellite transmissions for them. THEY MIGHT BLOW IT UP
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A SUICIDE LAUNCH!!!!
by: gay_troll_basher 04/25/05 01:39 am
Msg: 331 of 379
1 recommendation

with the help of Abu, Amad, Jamil and Mohammed and their basic knowledge of, the raghead council will launch a rocket propelled Russian satellite into Orbit guided by the 4 volunteers who are strapped on board the rocket in preparation for activation in space. A mission of epic proportions the 4 volunteers are last heard in prayer, when asked to be interviewed all 4 were unintellegible and uncooperative continually shouting "Allahu Akbar" in a trance like state.
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USA SHOULD DEPORT ALL MUSLIM IMMIGRANTS
by: apachechief7000 04/25/05 02:23 am
Msg: 352 of 379
1 recommendation

Any Muslim Immigrant is a potential danger to the safety of American Citizens and they already demonstrated on 9/11!
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Okay, maybe "chuckle" is the wrong word.
 
RandFan said:
Not sure why but I have an image of a cow jumping over the moon. :D
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Ah, that would be pure ecstasy for the cat and fiddle. Hey diddle diddle ... :D
 
I'll_buy_that said:
Satellite for tracking moon

I don't get it. Can someone explain why they cannot use the same predictor as everyone else? The moon moves in a predictable pattern, why spend $8million to just do what astronomers have already done?
Click to expand...
I think the determing factor is visual sighting of the moon at Mecca. I guess the satellite gives them a view over the clouds?
 
Hinduism uses a lunar calendar to ascertain many festivals and holidays. I've never seen anyone do anything more exciting then look up a holiday on a calendar.
 
I suppose this is similar to the method they use during Ramadan.
If a white string cannot be distinguished from a black string, then it is officially night-time and they can start eating.

Theoretically, an almanac could give them exact times for night-fall and also the accurate moon phases, but this would possibly violate the laws laid out in the Koran for determining these events.

I wonder if launching a satellite to show the moon phase is allowed, according to the Koran?

[Sigh] It is a sad state of affairs that a nation that practically invented modern mathematics cannot use that knowledge to their advantage..
 
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