Place of Hashr

Q: I was told that there is no proof in the Quraan that we will gather on the plains of Arafaat on Judgement day, rather that there is proof in the Quraan that we will meet on the plains of Palestine(Jeruselem). Please clarify.

Following the Sighting of the Moon

Q:  I humbly ask you please help me to find sukoon in the following matter what bothers me all the time nowadays. It is about our Islamic calendar. The Muslims in South Africa have Eid day on another day through observing the moon and we Turkish people follow the Turkish calender from "Diyanet" Musjid (this is a very big Turkish organisation in Istanbul and one of their Musjid in my town). I asked an Aalim what should I do on Eid day and whom should I follow. He replied that I should follow the Musjid announcement. I explained to him that they follow a calendar that is written a year before and that they do not observe the moon before Eid day. They determine somehow when is Eid day a year before. Next year we start Ramadhaan on 20.07.2012, Eid day is on 19.08.2012, Eid Adha on 25.10.2012, Ashura 24.11.2012. This is the Musjid announcement. I want to clear the issue if it is okay to follow their announcement for Eid days, Ashura and so on. Here in  Germany it is dark and most of the time cloudy and I can not go outside and observe moon. The place where it can be seen is little bit far from here. 

Masturbation While Fasting

Q: As a teenager I had a bad habit of masturbation, which I sincerely and deeply regret. The urge was very strong and I resorted to this sin even in the month of Ramadaan while in the state of Roza. I would keep the fast as usual, i.e have sehri, and abstain from food and drink until the time of iftaar, but on one occasion would commit this heinous sin. May Allah Ta'aala forgive me. Ameen.
This evil continued for approximately 8 - 10 yrs since I became baligh. Thereafter Allah Ta'aala assisted me to refrain from this sin. Alhumdulillah.
It is a source of constant worry for me, and I know that taubah is not enough to eradicate this evil deed. I know there is qadha as well as kaffarah that needs to be kept. I am however perplexed with how to go about this. My concerns are as follows:

Sighting the Moon for Eid

Q: We here in the Western Cape are split on the issue regarding the sighting of the moon for Eid. My wife and her family have Eid with Makkah and my family and I celebrate it with the local sighting of the moon.
My wife’s father is adamant that what I’m following is the wrong thing, I wish not to argue with him because the knowledge that I have regarding this issue is unfortunately very limited. Please enlighten me on this issue.