Quibbling over Ramadan

The Financial Times has an article by Abeer Allam about the whole issue of the beginning of Ramadan; it ain't as easy as it sounds:

Muslims in the Middle East are divided over the true phase of the moon. As a result, several countries recognised different dates for the festival of Eid al-Fitr, one of the two most important Muslim holidays, which marks the end of Ramadan.
In Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf Arab states, as well as Jordan, the holiday began on Tuesday. Egypt, Syria, Iran, and Algeria marked the start of the holiday yesterday.
Distinct methodologies for determining the start of the lunar month account for the differences but some now perceive an increasing political aspect to some of the calculations. Saudi Arabia’s conservative Wahhabi scholars, in accordance with their traditions and literal interpretation of Islam, determine the start of the lunar month based on observations of the first crescent with the naked eye. In other countries, Muslim scholars aim to reconcile astronomical calculations with direct observations to determine the holidays.
But some commentators now believe the process may be as much about political allegiance as any religious observance. Saudi Arabia, as the birthplace of Islam and the location of its two holiest mosques, has always commanded a position of respect, but even so many Muslim countries have traditionally followed the sightings as determined by their own religious scholars.
Now, however, in several countries, the decision of which methodology to adopt has gained a sectarian or political edge. In Iraq, Sunni communities celebrated Eid on Tuesday, while the Shi'a marked it yesterday – following the Iranian lead.
In August, the Supreme Judicial Council and Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia voted to reject any “mathematical calculation” of the calendar and issued a fatwa against using any means other than observation with the naked eye. Countries with close Saudi links followed the ruling of the Mufti in accordance with their traditions. Gulf states, except Oman, often follow Saudi Arabia’s decision. This year, Jordanian religious officials indicated they did not see the crescent at all yet would follow the Saudi ruling in deference to “Islamic unity”.

Rico says if religion is a joke, some are funnier than others; this would be one of them.