Taliban Supreme Court Asks Citizens to Report Ramadan Moon Sightings

The Supreme Court under Taliban administration has urged citizens to cooperate in sighting the Ramadan moon by reporting observations to provincial courts.

In a statement, the court requested that individuals who sight the moon provide testimony to the relevant provincial courts. Taliban officials stated that each testimony will be evaluated based on Sharia principles, with the final announcement issued by the central moon sighting committee of the Supreme Court.

Experts have expressed concerns that the Taliban and their Supreme Court lack reliable tools equipped with advanced technology, potentially leading to an incomplete announcement on the start of Ramadan.

Some religious scholars argue that Saudi Arabia serves as the most reliable authority for announcing the start of Ramadan and holiday dates for Muslims worldwide, recommending that Afghans follow its declarations. However, the Taliban have not adhered to Saudi announcements during their more than four years of renewed rule, instead relying primarily on reports from local residents in Afghanistan.

Certain citizens have accused the Taliban of selfish interpretations of religious principles, claiming they emphasize only what they deem correct and disregard universal Islamic values.