Message #8612

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Yes right, Tarawih prayers start on the same evening when the new moon for Ramadan is cited although the first of Ramadan is on the next day from Fajr.  Similarly, Tarawih prayers end as soon as the new moon for Shawal is cited in the evening even though the first of Shawal is on the following day from Fajr.  Aren't these also a part of the same confusion presuming that the new day begins from sunset or midnight instead of Fajr?

Absolutely correct observation, I would say.  That's why I mentioned in my original post that citing of the new moon is only the announcement of the beginning of the new month, but the first day of that new month begins from Fajr of the following day.  You're right.  This practice of beginning Tarawih prayers the same evening after citing the new moon and ending it the same evening after citing the Shawal moon is not correct.  It's obviously the same confusion that's come from the western time calculation.