This fatwa states that among Islamic jurists (fuqaha') there exist two schools of thought as to determining the commencement of Ramadhan and Syawal/Idul Fitri. The first, championed by Imam Syafi'i, is dictated by the relevant time the sun rises and sets and, therefore, the place. The second does not take these points into consideration. The Fatwa Committee states that, in the absence of a 'Qadi Internasional', it is the prerogative of each country's government to stipulate the relevant commencement date.
With regards to determining the commencement date of Zulhijjah/Idul Adha, the fatwa acknowledges that the ulama have reached a consensus that each country has its own time to perform the Idul Adha prayer (shalat).