Seeking the harmony of the start and end of fasting during Ramadan, at least in the Philippines, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) through the initiative of Secretary Bai Omera D. Dianalan-Lucman conducted Friday an initial consultation with several ulama (Islamic clerics).

NCMF commissioners joined her in the consultation-cum-iftar (breaking of fast).

Various ulama agreed in the need to synchronize Ramadan's first day, offering Qur'anic and prophetic traditions. They agreed to form a committee to achieve this.

They thanked the NCMF, especially Dianalan-Lucman, for holding the consultation.

Participants included Aleem Said Basher, Aleem Amer Nur, Aleem Naguib Taher, Aleem Abdulwahid Batua, Aleem Abubakar Seddik, Aleem Muhammad Cana, Aleem Anuar Limbona, Aleem Aminoddin Balindong, woman leader Bai Naira Said Muhammad, Balik-Islam leaders Caloocan City Fiscal Israbelito "Israfil" Sicat, Jamil Petrasanta, and Abduljalil "Ric" Abian, among others.

The NCMF conducted the consultation to hear the views of the ulama who belong to various groups because of the recurring disharmony on the start of the first day of the holy month of fasting.

In the Philippines as in other parts of the globe, Muslims started their fast either on Aug. 11 or 12. It is also possible that some of the 1.5 billion members of the Ummah (world Islamic community) began their fasting on Aug. 10 or 13.

"We in the NCMF are not going to impose on the ulama. We respect them and want to learn from them as respected leaders of our community," said Dianalan-Lucman.

"Every Ramadan there are two groups (who start their fast on different days). So we thought of having this meeting to seek oneness in beginning the first day of Ramadan," she said.

Obviously, the confusion and disharmony are because of the need to sight the appearance of the new crescent moon that in the lunar-based Islamic Hijrah calendar signals the start of a new month.

Dianalan-Lucman said this year, Islamic groups, including the Darul Iftah (House of Opinion) went their separate ways, with Region 9 choosing Aug. 11, while those in Marawi City and Cotabato City decided for Aug. 12.

"So here in our country, we are again divided on the first day of fasting," she said. As the premier national Muslim agency, NCMF wants to end this disharmony, she said.

As this developed, the Turkish Kimse Yuk Mu organization, Integrative Center for Alternative Development (ICAD), in coordination with the NCMF distributed on Sunday about 10,000 bags of "sinandomeng" rice (five kilos each) to the thousands of Muslim and non-Muslim recipients during the Ramadan.

 Kimse Yuk Mu officials led by Ferhat Ozkunde, assisted by NCMF Executive Director Camad "Kim" Edres, led the distribution of 500 bags at the NCMF office at Jocfer Building along Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City.

Aside from the NCMF, Edres said the Turkish groups simultaneously distributed the rice bags in Valenzuela (through Councilor Shalani Soledad); in Taguig City; and at Wilson Street, Greenhills, San Juan, at the ICAD Foundation's international school.