Moonsighting for Muharaam 1431

The Astronomical New Moon is on December 16, 2009 (Wednesday) at 12:02 UT. It can not be seen anywhere, except may be in Pacific ocean where it is very difficult to see. On Thursday, 17 December 2009, it can be seen in Indonesia, Southern India, Arabia, Africa, and Americas. On Friday, 18 December it can be seen easily everywhere.



All Sighting
Reports:
1431 AH
MUH
SFR
RBA
RBT
JMO
JMT 		RJB
SHB
RMD
SHW
ZQD
ZHJ




Sighting Reports
Wednesday, 16 December 2009:

  • Malawi:

    1. Not Seen: Yusuf M. Lambat (MCW member) from Blantyre reported: We also confrim that there was no sighting anywhere in Malawi on Dec 16.

  • South Africa:

    1. Not Seen: Rashid Motala (MCW member) from Durban reported: The Hilaal for Muharram was not sighted in S. Africa this Wednesday evening, 16 December 2009. Friday will be the 1st.

    2. Not Seen: Dr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim (MCW member) from Cape Town reported: The Hilaal was not sighted in South Africa on this Wednesday evening, 16 December 2009. The official first day of Muharrum 1431 AH will correspond to Friday, 18 December 2009.

    3. Not Seen, due to clouds: Sheik A.A. Ishola (MCW member) from Ikorodu, Lagos reported: The Muharam Crescent was tried this evening, 16th December 2009, but was not seen due to the cloudness in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

  • USA:

    1. Not Seen: Javad Torabinejad (MCW member) from Blacksburg VA reported: This evening (Wednesday, December 16, 2009), using a pair of binoculars (7X50), we attempted sighting the moon of Muharram in Blacksburg Virginia with no success. We arrived at the sighting location before sunset (sunset: 5:05 pm EST) and stayed well after moonset (moonset: 5:13 pm EST). At 5:24 pm we were able to sight Mercury, first with binoculars and then by naked eye. Since tomorrow's moon position will be in the lower right side of Mercury and considering today's high elevation of the planet, moon is expected to be seen easily, weather permitting.

    The earliest sighting of the new crescent was on Thursday, Dec 17 from from Mombasa, Kenya.

    Thursday, 17 December 2009:

  • Australia:

    1. Not Seen: Engr Manzoor A Mian (MCW member) from Melbourne reported: We could not sight crescent in Melbourne today 17/12/09 Thursday. It was raining here since last three hours prior and after sunset. Moon is also not sighted in Sydney.

    2. Not Seen: Zahid Hafeez (MCW member) from Canberra, Australia reported: The crescent was not sighted in Canberra on the evening of Dec 17th due to thick cloud cover.

    3. Not Seen: Dr. Shabbir Ahmed (MCW member) Imam of Rooty Hill Mosque Sydney reported: The Hilaal of Muharramul Haram 1431 has not been sighted anywhere in Australia. Albeit there were a few possibilities in some states, due to the cloudy weather in certain areas we were unable to see the moon tonight, 17th December 2009. After the confirmation that no one has sighted the moon in any state, the Moonsighting Committee and Majlisul Ulamaa’ of Australia have hence declared that the month of Muharramul Haram 1431 will commence from Saturday, 19th December 2009.

  • Bangladesh:

    1. Not Seen: ABM Ruhul Hassan (MCW member) from Dhaka reported: All the members of Majlisu Ruaiti Hilal tried to see the crescent from Dhaka and from different parts of the country , but the crescent was not seen on 17 December 2009. The sky was little hazy due to fog.

  • Canada:

    1. Not Seen: Nuh ibn Zbigniew Gondek (MCW member) from Ottawa Ontario reported: On Thursday, December 17th, 2009, except for a few minor patches of cloud, the sky was mostly clear on a crisp night in Ottawa, Canada. The local sunset time was 5:51. I was unable to see the moon with either the unaided eye or binoculars.

  • Chile:

    1. Seen: Muhammad Sohail (MCW member) from Iquique reported: In Chile we have seen the new moon of Moharam at 20:40 on 17/12/2009. A very happy new year for all Muslims.

  • Guyana:

    1. Seen: Dr. Muhammad Hafiz (MCW member) from Rose Hall Town, Berbice, reported: I tried to observe the Hilaal for Muharram 1431 AH on Thursday, 17th December, 2009 after Sunset at Rose Hall Town Masjid. Despite clouds being on the horizon, I was able to observe the Hilaal at 6:19 PM (Guyana Time). First day of Muharram in Guyana is Friday, 18th December, 2009, and happily it is the same in S.A as was announced by the court.

  • India:

    1. Not Seen: Mohammed Mohsin Khan (MCW member) from Mumbai reported: Today Thursday 17 December 2009 / 29 Zul Hijjah 1430 in India. Here in Mumbai Sunset was at 06:05 pm LT and Moonset was at 06:50 pm LT. So there was 45 mins difference and Sky was clear but Crescent has not been sighted in Mumbai and in Most Parts of India. Official Moon-Sighting Committee of INDIA have officially announced that Friday 18 December 2009 is the 30th Zul Hijjah1430 and 1st Muharram 1431 will fall on Saturday 19 December 2009.

  • Indonesia:

    1. Not Seen: AR Sugeng Riyadi (MCW member) from Surakarta, Java reported: On Thursday, 17 December 2009; The New Crescent of Muharram 1431 AH was NOT SEEN in Klaten - Central Java - Indonesia. Before and After Sunset, western sky was cloudy and hazy. According to government calendar, the firts of Muharram 1431 AH will begin on Friday, 18 December 2009.

  • Iran:

    1. Seen w/Binoculars: Alireza Mehrani (MCW member) from Sofeh Mount, Esfahan reported: On Thursday December 17, 2009 (Azar 26, 1388), the western horizon was cloudy. Crescent first observation through 7x50 binoculars was at 17:10 LT (13:40 UT) - Moon Alt: 5° 11' 37" - Moon Age: 25h 38m after conjunction. Crescent last observation through 15x70 binoculars was at 17:15 LT (13:45 UT) - Moon Alt: 4° 21' 06".

  • Jordan:

    1. Not Seen (Cloudy): Ahmad Abu Zaid (MCW member) from Amman reported: Observations are done at Sunset Time in: Amman Jordan Thursday, December 17, 2009 At Sunset: 16:40 LT Moon Age: +26H 38M Moonset: 17:28 LT Moon Lag Time: +00H 48M.
      The crescent was not sighted due to thick cloud cover. Official announcement is that Muharram 1431 AH will begin on Friday, 18 December 2009. Insha’Allah

  • Kenya:

    1. Seen: Jaffar Suleiman Mosheh (MCW member) from Mombasa reported: On Thursday 17 Dec 2009, the weather was partly cloudy but alhamdulillah with allahs grace I was able to get a glimps of the moon just before it disapered (covered by the clouds). I was looking from the top of a building overlooking the Mombasa port harbor (this is where I work). Next time I will be ready with a camera to take photos but the crescent was so thin.

  • Kuwait:

    1. Not Seen: Hussain Khushaish (MCW member) reported: On Thursday 17 Dec 2009 in Kuwait At Kabad desert 39 KM south west of Kuwait city I could not see the crescent even with 8" telescope although I saw Jupiter before sunset and also Mercury but after sunset. The western horizon was hazy with some fine dust.

  • Mauritius:

    1. Seen: Goolam Tegally (MCW member) from Port Louis reported: Hilal for was sighted this evening, 17 Dec in Mauritius, hence Friday 18 Dec will be 1st Muharram 1431 for us

  • Morocco:

    1. Seen: Ehsan H. Hajar (MCW member) from Casablanca reported: today Thursday Dec 17th, I was able to see the New Crescent of Moharram in the SW Horrizion 20 minutes after sun set, although the pink Horison was cloudy and some what humid, the new moon was visbile with my 7x50 binocular without difficulties.

  • Nigeria:

    1. Seen in Abuja: Muhammed Yasin Qamardeen (MCW member) from Ilorin reported: Although, New Hilal of Muharam was not sighted by me here in Isolo,Lagos tonight (Thursday 17, Dec 2009) partly due to hazy western sky, Imam Usman Mahmud of Tabliq Moricaz, Zone 4 Abuja, confirmed positive sighting by himself with naked eyes. Hapyy new Hijral Year.

    2. Not Seen (Cloudy): Sheik A.A. Ishola (MCW member) from Ikorodu, Lagos reported: On Thursday 17, Dec 2009, I and My Two Boys Adna and Nuhman and Muhammad Jamiu Imam Ratib of Jamaatul-Islamiyyah Ikorodu Branch at the top of the Jamaatul-Islamiyyah Mosque Ikorodu area of Lagos were tried to search for the muharram 1431 crescent and it was not seen due to the cloudness.

    3. Not Seen (Cloudy): AbdulBariu Kareem (MCW member) from Ikeja Lagos reported: Today 17th December,2009 between 6:45pm-7:10pm I stood outside looking for the crescent moon of Muharam in Obanikoro area part of Lagos but it was not visible due to cloud sky. I also called some of my friends from another location within lagos area the situation was the same.

  • Pakistan:

    1. Not Seen: Muhammad Yousuf Rajput (MCW member) from Bahawalpur reported: Today (17th December 2009, 29th Dhul-Hijjah 1430 ) the weather of Bahawalpur was cold and dry in the evening. The Hilaal of Month of Muharam 1431 could not be seen through naked eye on the West, even though the weather was quit clear. The Sun set was 17:20:34 (UT=+5). I tired to see Moon for more then 30 Min, but unfortunately was unable to see it. So Insha-Allah 1st Muharaam 1431 will be on Saturday.

    2. Not Seen: Sultan Alam (MCW member) from Karachi reported: Today, on my request, nearly 300 persons ( members of the moon-sighting committees of our institute "JAMIA-TUR-RASHEED" + my friends + their companions) tried to sight the moon all over Pakistan at more than 30 places but the moon could not be sighted. Weather was clear at many places especially in Karachi & western-most areas of Pakistan (Jivani e.g).

      Note 1: Chairman of central official moon-sighting committee of Pakistan "Mufti Munee-bur-Rahman" told me on my mobile phone that as he did not receive any positive report of moon sighting from all over Pakistan, therefore he has officially announced that Friday 18 December 2009 is the 30th Zulhijjah and 1st Muharram 1431 will fall on Saturday 19 December 2009.

    3. Not Seen: Dr. Shahid Qureshi (MCW member) from Karachi reported: We at the University of Karachi attempted to see the hilal of Muharram on Dec 17, 2009 but failed. We used the telescope atmosphere was relatively clear except for the thich pollution "cloud" around 6 degree high along the western horizon. We tracked the path of the Moon started 5:30 pm some 16 minutes before the sunset.

  • Panama:

    1. Seen: Saleh Bhai Bhattay (MCW member) from Panama City reported: On Dec 17, the moon has been seen easily in Panama.

  • Sri Lanka:

    1. Not Seen: Nular Bary (MCW member) from Colombo reported: Today 17Th. December 2009 (29TH. Dul Hajj 1430 and sunset at 5.59 in Sri Lanka) I went to my observation point to see the Hilal of Muharram 1431H, I couldn't sight the crescent of New Year today evening, though the western sky was fairly clear and there is no reports of the sighting from any parts of the Island to our Hilal Committee, hence the committee decided to complete the month of Dul Hajj with 30 days and start the Hijeri New Year 1431, on 19Th. December 2009, Inshaallah .

  • Tanzania:

    1. Seen: Hamza Rijal (MCW member) from Island of Zanzibar reported: Hilal has been sighted in the tiny island of Zanzibar on the 17th of December and todays friday 18th is the first day of Muharram.

  • United Arab Emirates:

    1. Not Seen: Jafor Abu Saleh (MCW member) from Al Ain, Abu Dhabi reported: On Dec 17, 2009, Thursday, the moon was not seen in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi.

  • USA:

    1. Seen: Mohamedraza H.Janmohamed (MCW member) from Sanford FL reported: New Moon was sighted in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, December 17. 2009 – [Dhulhijjah 29, 1430 AH] – And therefore the FIRST DAY of Mahe Muharram 1431 AH is established as FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2009.

    2. Seen: Javad Torabinejad (MCW member) from Blacksburg VA reported: This evening (Thursday, December 17, 2009), we sighted the moon of Muharram in Blacksburg, VA, first by using a pair of binoculars (7X50) and then by naked eye. We arrived at the sighting location before sunset (sunset: 5:06 pm EST) and left at 5:40 pm when moon was about to disappear behind the clouds (moonset 6:10 pm EST). The first binocular sighting was at 5:04 pm. My daughter first spotted the crescent by naked eye at 5:12, followed by my sighting a minute later. The horns were at 2:30, 6:30 O'clock (2:30;4:30;6"30). At 5:00 pm, the temperature, dew point, relative humidity, and pressure were 39.2 F, 26.6 F, 61%, and 30.26 in, respectively.

    3. Not Seen (Cloudy): Abu Hamzah (MCW member) from New Haven CT reported: It is to cloudy in the Atlanta, GA area for a sighting.

    4. Not Seen (Cloudy): Ms. Lyana Snow (MCW member) from San Antonio TX reported: In San Antonio, Texas, USA, because of heavy clouds in our area, we were not able to sight the crescent for Muharram, 1431.
    Friday, 18 December 2009:

  • France:

    1. Seen: Rida Roty (MCW member) from Caen (Normandie) reported: I have seen the hilal of Muharram 1431 today Friday, December 18th, at 17h10 only 3 minutes after sunset. The sky was very clear and the hilal was easily sighted by naked eyes.

  • India:

    1. Seen: Mohammed Ali Qazi (MCW member) from Mumbai reported: Moonsighting was clear with naked eyes in Mumbai, India, today evening 18/12/2009 at 6.25pm. in West, 5 to 10 degrees South (Left of West), marking the beginning of Muharram 1431 H.

    2. Seen: Khalid Umer Maniar (MCW member) from Surat, Gujrat reported: Reporting from surat gujarat india that moon was easily seen on friday evening n hence 1st muharram will be on saturday dec 19 2009

  • Pakistan:

    1. Seen: Muhammad Yousuf Rajput (MCW member) from Bahawalpur reported: Today (18th December 2009, 30th Dhul-Hijjah 1430 ) the weather of Bahawalpur was dusty in the evening. I was able to see the Hilaal of Muharam 1431 by naked eye on the West Horizan. It is quite visible, till after Magharib.

    2. Seen: Sultan Alam (MCW member) from Karachi reported: The crescent was very easily seen countrywide on Friday, December 18, as it was expected astronomically. I did not request the members to make any special arrangement to track this moon before sunset therefore they did not do so. I myself reached on the sighting spot only 12 minutes before the sunset (sunset was 17:46) and without any special arrangements and without having the exact data of moon, very easily tracked it by naked eyes 4 minutes before the sunset with a large crowd. Another brother reported from Faisalabad that they easily sighted the moon by naked eyes 3 minutes before the sunset with nearly 50 persons. Dr Shahid Qureshi (Karachi university) very kindly specially informed me on my cell that he very easily sighted the moon at 17:15 (31 minutes before the sunset) by their telescope of Karachi university observatory. According to him he did not make any special arrangements to track it early otherwise it was possible to track this moon many hours before the sunset by telescope.

  • Saudi Arabia:

    1. Seen: Ismail Mankarathodi from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia reported: On Friday, Dec 18, in Jeddah we saw the moon immediately after Maghrib Prayer very clearly and without any difficulty. The size, position and its clarity shows that it is the crescent of the second day. If it were of the 1st day we can’t see it so clearly.

  • Sri Lanka:

    1. Seen: Nular Bary (MCW member) from Colombo reported: Today, Friday 18/12/2009, I was able to sight the Hilal of Muharram New Year 1431H, from my roof top very clearly, "Mashaallah" It appeared at 6.15pm.the local sun set time was 6.00pm. Saturday, 19/12/2009 is the 1st. of Muharram in Sri Lanka Inshaallah.

  • UK:

    1. Seen: Max Fazel (Maqsood)(MCW member) from Manchester reported: subhanallah i saw the 50 hr cresent for Muharram in Manchester (actually in Northwich at work)...a few minutes after magrib..... it was captured at exactly 4:01pm and still was very difficult to see....at the time of writng this email (4:15pm) the crescent is more easier to see outside now...
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