1. Who/What exactly is this initiative trying to unite?

Unifeid is determined – only with the blessings of Allah – to unite all of the mosques and Islamic institutions in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) - and therefore, all of the Muslims from the GTA – under one date for the beginning of Ramadan, and the commencement of both Eids. 

2. Why should unifeid tell me which school of thought to follow?

As mentioned in our Project Proposal, The Unifeid Organization plays absolutely no role in deciding which school of thought is better followed. We are merely a catalyst whose purpose is to engage scholars from both schools of thought to make this decision themselves.

3. Since the organizers from unifeid must necessarily have their own preferred school of thought, doesn’t this present a conflict of interest?

The Unifeid Organization necessarily does not have a preferred opinion (hence our willingness to accept either opinion for the sake of unity, as opposed to championing a preferred school of thought).

4. Scholars already know that Muslims are displeased with the differences in opinion. Yet, for them to still maintain their differences obviously means that they find priority in doing so. So how does unifeid seek to change that?

Allow us to answer with an analogy.

Assume that you have an appointment to attend to one evening, and the only mode of transportation to your destination is via walking. If you were to find out that the weather outside is cold, you will adequately prepare by wearing an extra layer or two.

But if you were to determine that the weather is precisely -37°C cold, your response will be drastically different. Now, you will actually weigh the importance of attending this appointment against the harsh conditions of travel. Depending on the outcome of your analysis, you will either wear seven layers and head out, or call in and cancel.

Similarly, we are certain that our respected scholars forecasted the inconvenient side-effect that resulted from them having a difference of opinion; division in the Muslim Ummah. However, we would like to emphasize the magnitude of this difference; that the division that has resulted is a lot greater than they have once assumed. We are certain that with this new information, our scholars will shift parameters and act immediately to rectify the situation.

This is why we are collecting as many petitions and testimonials from the GTA community as possible to illustrate how – in one province alone – the issue has flagged alarming concern.

5. Difference of opinion has always been present throughout the history of Islam. There are plenty of schools of thought, all with varying judgments. So why is unifeid trying to eliminate this diversity? Shouldn’t people be left to follow the opinion they prefer?

This issue in particular – that of defining methodology of lunar calculations – requires a  complex interweaving of fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), the sciences of ahadeeth (traditions of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his Companions), and the proper tafseer (attempted interpretation) of the Holy Qura’an and Sunnah of the Prophet PBUH. Correspondingly, one requires substantial training in these disciplines before passing judgment as to which opinion is more correct. This is precisely why we – the average practicing Muslims – trust that our respected scholars have sufficiently represented us through their exhaustive inspection (May Allah reward them all).

Division should not be mistaken for diversity. This issue is not one of casual difference of opinion; it is one that creates and widens gulfs between members of the Muslim Ummah. 

In essence, we seek to ask the opposite question to our scholars (as mentioned in question #4):

Is maintaining this difference of opinion in favor of the Muslim Ummah?

6. Who is behind unifeid?

Muslims desperately seeking unity (like yourself), who humbly request your prayers and support. We are located in every city in Ontario.

7. What is the purpose of the survey?

As mentioned in question #4, this survey aims to provide our respected leaders a quantitative measure of the problem’s scope. It is a non-scientific survey, and the results will be used for no other statistical purposes.