Photo Credit: Freepik&nbsp;
Ramadan is a time of unity and faith, and today on Ramadan Rewind with Basma on Nile FM&mdash;airing Sunday to Thursday from 4:00 PM to 4:15 PM&mdash;we&rsquo;re diving into the fascinating history of the Hilal, the crescent moon that signals the start of the holy month.
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The Tradition of Moon Sighting
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For centuries, Muslims have looked to the sky, searching for the thin glowing crescent that marks the beginning of Ramadan. This practice dates back to the 7th century, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), when the only way to determine the start of the month was through naked-eye moon sighting.
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But as Islam spread across vast lands&mdash;from the deserts of Arabia to the mountains of Persia&mdash;moon sightings became more complicated. Some regions saw the Hilal before others, leading to different Ramadan start dates.
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The Evolution of Moon Announcements
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During the Abbasid dynasty, caliphs appointed official moon sighters, who were stationed on high towers to observe the sky. Once the crescent was spotted, messengers on horseback would spread the news, calling out: &ldquo;The Hilal has been seen!&rdquo;
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By the Ottoman Empire, these announcements became even grander. The sighting of the Hilalwas marked with cannon fire, and the mosques of Istanbul were illuminated with dazzling lanterns to spread the message of Ramadan&rsquo;s arrival.
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Tradition vs. Science: The Debate Continues
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Even today, the Hilal remains a source of debate. Some countries still rely on physical moon sighting, while others use scientific calculations to predict the lunar cycle. That&rsquo;s why Ramadan doesn&rsquo;t always begin on the same night worldwide.
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Yet, despite these differences, the search for the Hilal remains one of the most anticipated moments of Ramadan&mdash;bringing faith, unity, and tradition, just as it did centuries ago.
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That&rsquo;s it for today&rsquo;s Ramadan Rewind! Stay tuned for the next episode, where we continue uncovering the history behind Ramadan&rsquo;s most cherished traditions&mdash;only on Egypt&rsquo;s #1 station, Nile FM!
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