Radio news for the new moon of Ramadan and Eid

Question

If in an Islamic state — whether on behalf of the ruler of the country (wali al-mulk) or on behalf of the Muslims of the city — a moon-sighting department is established such that, when the moon is seen on the 29th, it conveys the news to the large cities by telegraph or radio, and, regarding this telegraph or radio news as reliable, people begin the fast, break the fast or celebrate Eid — then the request to the honourable scholars is: will the telegraph or radio news of this department be regarded as reliable…

Answer

If that department, having investigated the sighting of the new moon according to the Shari‘a, announces the sighting by telegraph or radio by order of the ruler of the country, then specifically in that city, and also in the places subordinate to that city — such as the surrounding small towns — it is correct according to the Shari‘a to act upon this announcement, accepting…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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