Sighting of Syawal new moon on March 19

PUTRAJAYA (March 19): The sighting of the Syawal new moon to determine the date for Aidilfitri is to be conducted at 29 locations nationwide on March 19, the Office of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal announced today.

The Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal will announce the date for Aidilfitri over radio and television that night, it said in a statement.

It said the Conference of Rulers had consented to the determination of the date for Aidilfitri based on the ‘rukyah’ (sighting of the new moon) and ‘hisab’ (mathematical and astronomical calculation) methods.

The locations are in Baitul Hilal Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Pontian, Johor; Kompleks Falak Al-Khawarizmi, Melaka; Baitul Hilal Telok Kemang, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan; Bukit Melawati, Kuala Selangor; Bukit Jugra, Banting and Balai Cerap Selangor, Sabak Bernam in Selangor; Balai Hilal Pantai Pasir Panjang, Manjong, Perak and Pusat Falak Sheikh Tahir, Pantai Aceh, Penang.

Stesen Cerapan Hilal in Kampung Pulau Sayak and Menara Alor Setar in Kedah; Bukit Besar, Kuala Terengganu; Bukit Geliga, Kemaman; Pulau Perhentian, Besut and Balai Cerap KUSZA, Setiu, in Terengganu; Bukit Peraksi, Pasir Puteh; Bukit Kampung Tembeling, Kuala Krai and Menara Bangunan SEDC, Kota Bharu in Kelantan.

Pusat Falak, Miri; Teluk Bandung, Kuching and Bintulu, Sarawak; Balai Cerap Al-Biruni, Putatan, Sabah; and Menara Universiti Malaysia Sabah at Labuan International Campus.

Bukit Tanjong Batu, Nenasi, Gunung Berincang, Cameron Highlands and Menara 188, Kuantan in Pahang; Menara Kuala Lumpur; Pusat Konvensyen Antarabangsa Putrajaya and Menara Pandang Masjid Al-Hussain, Kuala Perlis, Perlis.