Moonsighting for Rabi-as-Thani 1431

1431 AH
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The Astronomical New Moon is on 15 March 2010 (Monday) at 21:01 UT. On 15 March, moon cannot be seen anywhere. On 16 March it will be easily visible in North America, but with difficulty it may be visible in Europe, part of Africa and part of South America. On 17 March, it will be easily visible all over the world except New Zealand, and Australia, although Northern regions of Australia may see the moon with difficulty, on 17 March. See the visibility map below:

Sighting Reports

The earliest sighting of the new crescent was on Tuesday, March 16 from Gainesville, Florida, USA.


Tuesday, 16 March 2010:

  • Bahrain:

    1. Not Seen (Cloudy): Abdul Hameed Haji (MCW member) reported: Wali-al-aser group tried to observe the new halal of Rabi althani on Tuesday 16 March but the western horizon was cloudy

  • Canada:

    1. Not Seen: Baig Muhammad Tamachi (MCW member) from Peterborough Ontario reported: On Tuesday, March 16, due to clouds and partially overcast westerly skies, it was not possible to see the Hilaal.

    2. Seen: Valli Mohamed (MCW member) from Toronto Ontario reported: In Toronto (Scarborough) I and my wife saw the Crescent today after magrib prayers at 8:05 pm from out side of my house. Another group with the Imam of Jame Abu Bakr Masjid also saw the crescent here in Scarborough from the Masjid. Sun set at 7:25 pm and Moon set at 8:37 pm.

  • India:

    1. Not Seen: Khalid Umer Maniar (MCW member) from Surat, Gujrat reported: Crescent moon was not sighted on Tuesday evening, March 16, 2010. Therefore, Wednesday, March 17, 2010 is 30th day and 1st Rabi-ul-Thani will be on Thursday.

  • Pakistan:

    1. Not Seen: Sultan Alam (MCW member) from Karachi reported: Today (Tuesday, March 16, 2010 = 29 Rabee-ul-Awwal 1431 in Pakistan), on my request nearly 200 persons (members of the moon-sighting committees of our institute "JAMIA-TUR-RASHEED" + my friends + their companions) tried to sight the moon at more than 30 places all over Pakistan but the moon could not be sighted, as it was expected tonight. Weather was clear at nearly all places.

  • Panama:

    1. Not Seen: Saleh Bhai Bhattay (MCW member) from Panama City reported: On Tuesday, March 16 in Panama, there was no news of sighting the moon.

  • South Africa:

    1. Not Seen: Rashid Motala (MCW member) from Durban reported: The crescent moon was not sighted this evening in S. Africa, the 4th straight month with no sighting on 29th day.

  • Sri Lanka:

    1. Not Seen (cloudy): Nular Bary (MCW member) from Colombo reported: Today 29th.RABI UL AWWAL 1431 (16/03/2010) I tried to see the New Moon of Rabi ul Akhir, I was disappointed by the western cloudy sky and there were no reports of sighting in any parts of the country, so our Hilal committee declared to start the month of Rabi ul Akhir 1431H, on Thursday 18/03/2010 and complete the Month of Rabi ul Awwal for 30 days InshaAllah.

  • UK:

    1. Not Seen: Modoris Ali (MCW member) from Birmingham reported: I have made attempt to find the moon before 6:20pm,then performed Maghrib at Cradley Heath Mosque, near Birmingham in the UK. After I finish Maghrib, I have made a second attempt to find the moon. I could not see the moon,then it started to get cloudy.

    2. Not Seen: Qamar Uddin (MCW member) from York reported: On Tuesday 16 March 2010 (29 Rabi-ul Awwal 1431 AH) many people from throughout UK have attempted to sight the youngest crescent moon (Hilal) of Rabi-ul Thani after sunset. Many people from other UK cities made arrangements to observe from exceptionally high locations with clear western horizons (including Sutton Bank, 1000 ft above sea level).
      Unfortunately, the 21 hours old Hilal was not sighted, as most places became cloudy after sunset. We have not received any reliable sighting news from countries from East of UK either (including Morocco).
      Therefore, the Ulama have decided that the month of Rabi-ul Awwal 1431 AH will have 30 days and the month of Rabi-ul Thani (or Rabi-ul Akhir) 1431 AH will start from Thursday 18 March 2010, Insha-Allah.
      The Sutton Bank (Thirsk, North Yorkshire) group of 22 observers comprised of the following people. From Manchester: Maulana Samiruddin Qasmi, Mohammad Bhana, Mohammad Bharmgy, Javed Mami and Imran Samir. From Batley: Maulana Hasib Mayet, Maulana Imran Lunat, Ismail Bhai Lunat and Vashiullah Bodiyat. From York: Shaykh Zubair Ahamad, Salim Amira, Meshal Al-Naseer, Mohammad Al-Rahmawy, Dawood Wlikinson, Moin Uddin and Qamar Uddin. Members of York Astronomical Society included: Martin Whipp, Paul Buglass, Martin Whillock, Philip Holmes, Philip Jennings (and his mother, Mrs Jennings).

  • USA:

    1. Not Seen (Haze): Khalid Shaukat (MCW member) from Washington DC reported: On Tuesday, March 16, westerly skies appear to be clear but in actuality it was a very thin layer of haze, that I could conclude when in westernly direction no stars were visible, whereas I could see stars in other direction. I tried until 45 minutes after sunset. It was not possible to see the Hilaal.

    2. Seen: Dr. Hussain Dashti (MCW member) from Gainesville FL reported: My friend, Dr. Saleh Alshamali, and I went to sight the Hilal today, 16/3/2010, in Gainesville Florida. We were able to sight it with naked eyes. I was able to see the Hilal with a 10X50 binocular first at 7:45 PM, then with naked eyes at 7:57 PM. Sunset: 19:38 LT : Moonset: 20:36 LT

    3. Seen: Mohamedraza H.Janmohamed (MCW member) from Sanford FL reported: The New Crescent was sighted in Orlando, Florida as well on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 and thus, the FIRST DAY of Mahe Rabi-ul-Aakher 1431 AH is established as WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2010.

    4. Seen: Javad Torabinejad (MCW member) from Buchanan VA reported: This evening (Tuesday, March 16, 2010), I sighted the crescent moon of Rabee' Thani in Buchanan, VA, first by using a pair of binoculars (7X50) and then by naked eye. I arrived at the sighting location before sunset (sunset: 7:26 pm EDT) and left before moonset (moonset: 8:31 pm EDT). The first binocular sighting was at 7:32 pm followed by the naked eye sighting at 7:37 pm (elevation of 7.5 degrees). The horns were at 4:00 and 8:30 O'clock (4:00;6:00;8:30). At 7:26 pm, the temperature, dew point, relative humidity, and pressure were 51.9 F, 36.0 F, 54%, and 30.00 in, respectively.

    5. Not Seen (Overcast): Ms. Ruth Jeffery (MCW member) from Baton Rouge LA reported: There was no possibility of moon sighting in Baton Rouge, LA, on March 16 due to completely overcast skies.

    6. Seen: Muhammad Ejaz (New MCW member) from Flint MI reported: I live in Flint, MI, USA. Me and my wife easily sighted the moon while driving.

    7. Seen: Haudi Dehdashti (New MCW member) from Tucson AZ reported: I want to report that I saw the crescent at about 6:50 pm here in Tucson, Arizona, today Tuesday, March 16. My mother and sister also confirmed the sighting.


Wednesday, 17 March 2010:

  • Australia:

    1. Not Seen: Engr Manzoor A Mian (MCW member) from Melbourne, VIC reported: I wish to inform you that Rabiul-Thani crescent has not been sighted in Melbourne, and Sydney on 17th March 2010 Wednesday evening. It has also just been reported it is not sighted anywhere in Australia. Hence 1st Rabbul-Tahni will be starting from Friday, 19th March 2010 InshaAllah.

    2. Not Seen: Zahid Hafeez (MCW member) from Canberra, ACT reported: The crescent of the new moon was not sighted in Canberra this evening, WEdnesday, March 17. Conditions were reasonable and binoculars were used.

    3. Not Seen: Dr. Shabbir Ahmed (MCW member) Imam of Rooty Hill Mosque Sydney, NSW reported: The Hilaal of Rabi�ul Aakhir 1431 has not been sighted in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Perth and other states. Although there was a strong possibility of the moon being sighted in the western states and the weather was also very clear, it is surprising to note that no one sighted the moon.
      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 Rabi�ul Aakhir 1431 will commence from Friday, 19th March 2010.

  • Canada:

    1. Seen: Baig Muhammad Tamachi (MCW member) from Peterborough Ontario reported: Al-hamdhulillah, today, Wednesday March 17th, 2010, I was blessed with hilaal observation with naked eye very easily between 7:35pm & 7:40pm. in the West North West sky's direction, about 40 to 45 degrees above the horizon. Horns were roughly between "3 O'clock and 8 O'clock" position. I was alone for this sighting.

    2. Seen: Nuh ibn Zbigniew Gondek (MCW member) from Ottawa Ontario reported: 30th Rabi al Awaal 1431 (Wednesday, March 17th, 2010). The sky was clear on a crisp winter night in Ottawa, Canada. The local sunset time was 7:12. I was able to see the moon with both the unaided eye and binoculars.

  • India:

    1. Seen: Mohammed Mohsin Khan (MCW member) from Mumbai reported: Wednesday 17 March 2010 / 30 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1431 in India. Here in Mumbai Sunset was at 06:49 p.m LT and Moonset was at 08:06 pm LT. Sky was clear hence Crescent has been sighted in Mumbai City and in most Parts of India. Official Moon-Sighting Committee have officially announced that Wednesday 17 March 2010 was 30 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1431 and Thursday 18 March 2010 will be 1st Rabi-us-Saani 1431.

  • Jordan:

    1. Seen: Ahmad Abu Zaid (MCW member) from Amman reported: Observations are done at Sunset Time in: Amman Jordan, Wednesday, March 17, 2010 At Sunset (17:51 LT) while Moonset was at 19:29 LT. The crescent was sighted. However, Official announcement is that for Rabeea' Thani 1431 AH will begin on Wednesday, March 17, 2010. Insha�Allah.

  • Kuwait:

    1. Seen: Abdulaziz Al-Sumait (MCW member) reported: Subhan Allah I saw the Hilal of Rabii Althani after Maghreb prayer at 6:20pm in Kuwait city near Bayan Palace with naked eye in spite of weather not very well clear. Horns are at 3 and 9. I kept observing the Hilal for fifteen minutes until I left the sighting area .

  • Malawi:

    1. 30 Days Cpompleted: Yusuf M. Lambat (MCW member) from Blantyre reported: In Blantyre Malawi we completed 30 days of Rabi ul Awwal so 1st of Rabi ul Akhir is today Thursday 18 March, 2010.

  • Mauritius:

    1. Not Seen (clouds): Goolam Tegally (MCW member) from Port Louis reported: Today, Wednesday 17 March (30 Rabi I) Hilal was still NOT visible due to much clouded sky. Hence Thursday 18 March will be 1st Rabi II in Mauritius.

  • Netherlands:

    1. Seen: M.D. Karamatali (New MCW member) from Lelystad reported: I and my family have seen the moon on 17th of March at 7 pm in Lelystad.

  • Pakistan:

    1. Seen: Sultan Alam (MCW member) from Karachi reported: On my request, Today (Wednesday 17 March 2010 = 30 Rabee-ul-Awwal 1431 in Pakistan) many hundred persons (Members of the moon-sighting committees of our institute "JAMIA-TUR-RASHEED" + my friends + their companions) easily sighted the crescent all over Pakistan. Generally, the weather was clear. Thursday 18 March 2010 is 1st Rabee-uth-Thani1431 in Pakistan.

  • Tanzania:

    1. Seen: Hamza Rijal (MCW member) from Island of Zanzibar reported: From the tiny island of Zanzibar the weather of Unguja Island was hot in the evening of March 17 (Wednesday). I observed the Hilal of Month of Rabi-as-Thani 1431AH by naked eye. The Sunset was 1839 Local time (1539 GMT). So, Thursday 18 March is the first day of Rabiul Thani.

  • United Arab Emirates:

    1. Seen: Jafor Saleh (MCW member) from Al Ain, Abu Dhabi reported: The New Crescent (Rabi As-Sani) was sighted in Al ain UAE on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at local time : 06:45 PM
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