When is an announcement of the moon sighting on the radio valid?

Question

Is the news on the radio about the sighting of the new moon in blessed Ramadan — for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha — valid or not, whether the radio is of India, of Pakistan, of Arabia or of Egypt? What is the ruling on this? This year, despite a clear horizon, the moon was not seen, but in some places — both in Pakistan and in India — the moon appeared, and this was announced on the radio. What of accepting it, breaking the fast and celebrating Eid? Please write a detailed answer.

Answer

It is necessary for the witness to be present at the session of testimony (majlis al-shahada); testimony based merely on hearing a voice from behind a screen is not accepted. Therefore testimony heard on the radio is not accepted — neither from far nor from near, that is, neither from India, nor from Pakistan, nor from Egypt, nor from Makka the Honoured.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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