Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim
(In the Name of ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL)

LATEST HILAL-SIGHTING.COM INFORMATION !!!

Dr.Mohib.N.DURRANI, E-Mail: Durrani@Hilal-Sighting.Com (Please remove "-NoSpam" from automatic email address)
OR E-Mail: mnd0@columbia.edu (Please remove "-NoSpam" from automatic email address)
National Coordinator (Since 1987), for Astronomical Information
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Copyright (c) 1987-2004 CE
*** Homepage ***:: http://www.Hilal-Sighting.Com
(This homepage is under continuous development)

As Salaamu Alykum.

This webpage will be updated, as usual, as soon as we have information of Hilal Sightings and on the decision of the muslim organizations in USA/Canada, inshallah.

May Allah swt Bless and Reward all those who try and sight the Hilal, amin.
6:00 pm EDT, 14 Oct 2004
Please visit the main page for the latest reports.
*** Homepage ***:: http://www.Hilal-Sighting.Com
6:00 am EST, 27 Apr 2004
Please see the information for Hilal Sighting of the 3rd Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 AH at:
Evening of Mon 19 Apr 2004, Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 AH?
Evening of Tue 20 Apr 2004, Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 AH?
12 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 AH is expected on Sun 2 May 2004 CE for most of the worrld.

Please see the information for Hilal Sighting of the 4th Islamic month of Rabi-ut-Thani 1425 AH at:
Evening of Wed 19 May 2004, Rabi-ut-Thani 1425 AH?
Evening of Thu 20 May 2004, Rabi-ut-Thani 1425 AH?

Please see the information for Hilal Sighting of the 5th Islamic month of Jummah-di-Awwal 1425 AH at:
Evening of Thu 17 Jun 2004, Jummah-di-Awwal 1425 AH?
Evening of Fri 18 Jun 2004, Jummah-di-Awwal 1425 AH?

Please see the information for Hilal Sighting of the 6th Islamic month of Jumah-d-Thani 1425 AH at:
Evening of Sat 17 July 2004, Jumah-d-Thani 1425 AH?
Evening of Sun 18 July 2004, Jumah-d-Thani 1425 AH?

Please see the information for Hilal Sighting of the 7th Islamic month of Rajab 1425 AH at:
Evening of Mon 16 Aug 2004, Rajab 1425 AH?
Evening of Tue 17 Aug 2004, Rajab 1425 AH?
ISRA-wa-MIRAJ 1425 AH (Journey and Ascention), 12 Rajab, is expected on night of Sun 12 Sep 2004 CE for most of the world. USA-Canada and South America (North & West) may have it a night earlier on Sat 11 Sep 2004 CE.

********************************************************************************************

5:30 am EST, 22 Feb 2004

HAPPY NEW ISLAMIC YEAR, 1425 AH !!!

As SAlaamu Alykum,

There were NO HIlal Sightings on the evening of Fri 20 Feb 2004 for USA/Canada.
Hence the Islamic New Year 1425 AH (1 Muharram) for USA/Canada started with the day of Sun 22 Feb 2004.

The cross-reference between Muharram and Feb dates (for the first 10 days) is as follows:
Note: It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FAST ON 10 MUHARRAM (ASHURAH), which would be the day of Tue 2 Mar 2004 CE.
                     Muharram 1425 AH
Islamic Date	 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  (Ashurah)
Day of Week	Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue (Recommended)
Gregorian Date	22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29   1   2  (to FAST)
                     February/March 2004 CE
5:30 am EST, 19 Feb 2004
As Salaamu Alykum and a Happy New Islamic Year to all,

May all of Humanity have a wonderful New Islamic Year!
May the suffering of muslims (and of all) all over the world be abolished, amin.
May all of Humanity rise to its lofty mission of Peace and Prosperity (spiritual and material) for all, amin.

Please see the updated information for Hilal Sighting of the 1st Islamic month of Muharram 1425 AH at:
Evening of Fri 20 Feb 2004, Muharram 1425 AH? (Islamic New Year)
Evening of Sat 21 Feb 2004, Muharram 1425 AH? (Islamic New Year)
5:30 am EST, 20 Mar 2004
Please see the information for Hilal Sighting of the 2nd Islamic month of Safar 1425 AH at:
Evening of Sat 20 Mar 2004, Safar 1425 AH?
Evening of Sun 21 Mar 2004, Safar 1425 AH?
8:00 am EST, 27 Jan 2004
As Salaamu Alykum to all,

Makkah has announced that the Arafat Gathering (9 Zul-Hajj) will be on Sat 31 Jan 2004 and hence 10 Zul-Hajj for Makkah is on Sun 1 Feb 2004.

The kingdom's supreme Shariah court said in a statement carried by the national news agency that Friday, January 23, marked the first day of the month of Dhul Hijjah; adding that the peak of this year's hajj would fall on Saturday, the ninth of Dhul Hijjah.

Hence, for USA/Canada, Eid ul-Adha 1424 AH will also be on Sun 1 Feb 2004 CE, as per the guidelines of the Islamic Shura Council of USA/Canada.

Eid Mubarak to all!

8:00 pm EST, 22 Jan 2004
Updated 4:00 am EST, 24 Jan 2004

As Salaamu Alykum to all,

The Hilal (Crescent Moon) for the month of Zul-Hajj 1424 AH was easily sighted from many places in USA on the evening of Thu 22 Jan 2004.

Hence, the 1st day of Zul-Hajj 1424 AH for USA/Canada is the day of Fri 23 Jan 2004!!

10th day of Zul-Hajj 1424 AH (Eid-ul-Adha) for USA/Canada will be the day of Sun 1 Feb 2004, inshallah.

Please note that the Islamic Shura Council of USA/Canada had decided that for the Eid-ul-Adha clebration in USA/Canada, the announcement from Makkah will be followed!

Please also see the following article:
Probabilities of dates to be announced from Makkah for Eid-ul-Adha 1424 AH (Sun 1 Feb 2004, 80%)



8:00 pm EST, 24 Nov 2003

As Salaamu Alykum,
Eid Mubarak!

The National Shura Council of USA/Canada has decided that:

"Based on a Fiqh/Shura Council decision of a few years ago:

"If there is a calculated chance of Hilal Sighting in the contiguous USA/Canada, and the astronomer consultant(s) confirm on Authenticated Hilal Sighting(s), then the Islamic Month will be declared as started.

"Since there were at least two (2) confirmed Hilal Sightings for the month of Shawwal 1424 AH, from Houston, Texas, USA, on the evening of Mon 24 Nov 2003, hence, the month of Shawwal 1424 AH has started from the night of Mon 24 Nov 2003, and

Eid-ul-Fitr 1424 AH is on the DAY of Tue 25 Nov 2003."

The National Shura Council consists of:
1. ISNA, Islamic Society of North America
2. ICNA, Islamic Circle of North America
3. Ministry of Imam Warith-ud-Deen Muhammad
4. Jamaat of Imam Jamil Al-Ameen

Dr. Mohib.N.Durrani
National Astronomy Consultant
National Shura Council of North America
National Fiqh Council of North America
Sharia Scholars of North America

7:30 pm EST, 24 Nov 2003

There has been a SECOND Authenticated Hilal Sighting, also from Houston, Texas, USA. This makes the minimum of TWO required Authenticated Hilal Sightings for confirmation of the start of an Islamic Month.

The official decision will be after the National Shura Teleconference, inshallah.

7:30 pm EST, 24 Nov 2003

There has been ONE Authenticated Hilal Sighting from Houston, Texas, USA. We are going through the process of confirming some others, ishallah.

6:30 pm EST, 24 Nov 2003

There was a "False Sighting" report from Spartenberg, South Carolina, USA.

The individual mentioned that he had seen a "Hilal" as nearly a straight line and it was approximately six (6) finger widths (9 degrees) to the left of a "Star" (Venus) and about 3 finger widths (4.5 degrees) above the "Star" (Venus).

The suggested location from the the "star" (Venus) is not the location for the Crescent Moon Hence the person saw something other than a Hilal. (my comments in the above paragraph are within parenthesis.

10:10 pm EST, 25 Oct 2003

The following is an approximate statement of the Islamic Shura and Islamic Fiqh Councils of North America:

"As Salaamu Alykum,

"The Islamic Shura and Islamic Fiqh Councils of North America (USA/Canada) agree that there were NO Hilal sightings on the evening of Sat 25 Oct 2003, the 29th of Shaban, hence we will complete thirty (30) days of Shaban.

Monday 27 Oct 2003 will be the first day of Ramadan 1424 AH for USA/Canada.

"Ramadan Kareem to all."


Eve of Sat 25 Oct 2003, Ramadan 1424 AH ?
Eve of Sun 26 Oct 2003, Ramadan 1424 AH ?

THE FOLLOWING IS THE CORELATION BETWEEN COMMON DAYS (DATES) FOR THE
ISLAMIC AND GREGORIAN CALENDARS, FOR RAMADAN 1424 AH:

RAMADAN Sighting is expected on evening of Sun 26 Oct 2003 from south/west USA/Canada.
It is IMPOSSIBLE for the Ramadan Hilal to be seen anywhere in the world on the evening of Sat 25 Oct 2003 CE!
it is IMPOSSIBLE for Ramadan 1424 AH to start anywhere in the world from Sun 26 Oct 2003 CE.
RAMADAN 1424 AH    1   5  10  15  20     21  23  25  27  29 (30)
OCT/NOV 2003 CE   27  31   5  10  15     16  18  20  22  24 (25)
                  Mo  Fr  We  Mo  Sa     Su  Tu  Th  Sa  Mo (Tu)
                                      Night Fri 21-->|<--Morning of Sat 22 Nov
                                         |           |<--- Night of 27 Ramadan
                                         |<--- ODD Nights --->
ODD Nights of RAMADAN: Nov Sat 15, Mon 17, Wed 19, Fri 21, Sun 23
Eve of Sun 23 Nov 2003, Shawwal (Eid-ul-Fitr) 1424 AH ?
Eve of Mon 24 Nov 2003, Shawwal (Eid-ul-Fitr) 1424 AH ?

It should be noted that Hilal Sighting for Shawwal (Eid-ul-Fitr) 1424 AH (for USA/Canada) would be DIFFICULT on the evening of Mon 24 Nov 2003 CE.

Eve of Wed 21 Jan 2004; 1 Zul-Hajj (Eid-ul-Adha=10 Zul-Hajj) 1424 AH ?
Eve of Thu 22 Jan 2004; 1 Zul-Hajj (Eid-ul-Adha=10 Zul-Hajj) 1424 AH ?

Eve of Sat 31 May 2003, Rabi-ut-Thani 1424 AH ?
Eve of Sun 1 Jun 2003, Rabi-ut-Thani 1424 AH ?

Eve of Fri 26 Sep 2003, Shaban 1424 AH ?
Eve of Sat 27 Sep 2003, Shaban 1424 AH ?

THE FOLLOWING IS THE CORELATION BETWEEN COMMON DAYS (DATES) FOR THE
ISLAMIC AND GREGORIAN CALENDARS, FOR SHABAN 1424 AH:

SHABAN Sighting was on evening of Fri 26 Sep 2003 from south/west USA/Canada.
SHABAN  1424 AH    1   5  10  15               28  29 (30)
SEP/OCT 2003 CE   27   1   6  11               24  25 (26)
                  Sa  We  Mo  Sa               Fr  Sa (Su)
               Nisf-Shaban -- | -- Nisf-Shaban
        Night of Fr 10 Oct -- | -- Morning of Sa 11 Oct
[Note: There was a 8" SC telescopic sighting (with naked eye and binocular) of the Hilal by a world-class amateur astronomer (Jim Stamm) from Tucson Arizona on the evening of Fri 26 Sep 2003!]

The following are an overview for the dates for different years:
*** 1424 AH Dates for Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha (expected) ***
*** 1423 AH Dates for Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha (expected) ***
*** 1422 AH Dates for Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha (expected) ***

The following is information on Hilal (Crescent Moon) worldwide sighting.

***** Hilal (Crescent Moon) Locations and Orientations *****

Eve of Sat 01 Feb 2003, ZulHajj 1423 AH ?
Eve of Sun 02 Feb 2003, ZulHajj 1423 AH ?
Hilal Location and Orientation at Makkah for Zul-Hajj-1423AH, Sat/Sun 1/2 Feb 2003 CE (MSWord Document)
Eve of Wed 04 Dec 2002, Shawwal 1423 AH ?
Eve of Thu 05 Dec 2002, Shawwal 1423 AH ?

11:30 pm EST 2 Feb 2003 CE

As Salaamu Alykum to all.

Eid Mubarak for the upcoming Eid al Adha.

The Hilal for the month of Zul-Hajj 1423 AH was easily seen at many places from eastern USA/Canada on the evening of Sun 2 Feb 2003 CE. The Hilal was NOT seen yesterday evening on Sat 1 Feb 2003. This makes the 1st day of Zul-Hajj 1423 AH as the day of Mon 3 Feb 2003 CE for USA/Canada.

Your brother in Islam,

Dr.Mohib.N.Durrani
Consultant and North American Coordinator
of Astronomical Information for:
Islamic Fiqh Council of North America
Islamic Shura Council of North America
Sharia Scholars Association of North America (SSANA)
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).

10:00 am EST 2 Feb 2003 CE

There has been NO reported authentic Hilal (Crescent Moon) sighting from anywhere in USA/Canada for the evening of Sat 1 Feb 2003 CE. The Hilal for 1 Zul-Hajj 1423 AH will be easily visible in North America on the evening of Sun 2 Feb 2003 CE, inshallah. This will make the 1st day of Zul-Hajj 1423 AH, for North America, as Mon 3 Feb 2003 and the day of 10 Zul-Hajj (Eid-ul-Adha) as Wed 12 Feb 2003, inshallah.

The six official Hilal Sighting Groups in Saudi Arabia (each of which consists of an Islamic scholar, an astronomer, a community leader, and others) have announced that there was NO authentic Hilal sighting reported for the evening of Sat 1 Feb 2003 in Saudi Arabia. It should be noted that the Ummul Qura calander calculates on the basis of a ficticious Moon above Sun (not visible) and has the 1st date of Zul-Hajj 1423 AH as Sun 2 Feb 2003 CE.

9:00 am EST 1 Dec 2002 AD

The following is the announcement, Nov 29, 2002, from the National Islamic Shura Council of North America, which consists of:
1. Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
2. Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)
3. Muslim Organization of Warith-ud-Deen Muhammad
4. Others

E i d u l F i t r 1 4 2 3 AH

The National Shura Council held a conference call on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 to discuss the time of the upcoming Eid. After lengthy discussion, it was concluded that astronomical data indicates that it is impossible to sight the new crescent anywhere in North America on Wednesday, December 4, 2002, the 29th day of Ramadan.

It is almost certain that Eid ul Fitr will fall on Friday, December 6th.

As such, Muslim communities may make arrangements for Eid prayer on December 6th. However, the National Shura Council will continue to follow its standard procedures by being open to receive any reports of moon sighting on Wednesday, December 4th. For confirmation of the declaration of Eid, please call the ISNA headquarters after 9:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 4th.

Eid Mubarak.

10:00 pm EST 23 Feb 2001 AD

The Hilal (Crescent Moon) for Zul-Hajj 1421 AH was not seen anywhere in North America on the evening of Fri 23 Feb 2001.

Therefore, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Islamic Shura Council of North America have decided that the first day of Zul-Hijja in North America is on Sun 25 Feb 2001, and accordingly, Eid-ul-Adha will be on Tue 6 Mar 2001.

For further information, please contact any of the following:

           Br. Ashfaq Lodi,       Email: membership@isna.net
           Dr. Mohib. N. Durrani, Email: mnd@columbia.edu
           Br. Khalid Shaukat,    Email: shaukat@moonsighting.com

3:00 pm EST 4 Mar 2001 AD

                        Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim

                  HILAL REPORT ON FRI 23 FEB 2001 SIGHTING.

There were some reports of apparant sightings of the Hilal on the evening 
of Fri 23 Feb 2001 from the Maimi Florida region. The persons who were 
mentioned were Br.Javad, his cousin Br.Shoaib, and another Sr.Vajeeha.

I spoke with Sr.Vajeeha and she mentioned that her sighting was on 
Sat 24 Feb 2001 and NOT on Fri 23 Feb 2001.

One report is from one of the two cousins from near Maimi, Florida. 
I spoke with Br.Javad on Sun 4 Mar 2001 and he mentioned that on 
Fri 23 Feb 2001 he was going west in a car with his cousin, Br.Shoaib, and 
around Maghrib time he saw the Hilal through the car windshield and 
reconfirmed it by also looking from outside the window. When I asked 
approximately how high the Hilal was, he mentioned that it was slightly 
less than 40 deg above the horizon (ground), probable from  30 to 45 deg.

The Hilal from Maimi on the evening of Fri 23 Feb 2001 would only be 
6 degrees above the Sun at the time of sunset. It should be noted that, 
because of the intense twilight brightness of the western sky, 
by the time the Hilal could be visible (if it was visible) the Hilal 
would be even lower in the sky and the Sun has to DEFINITELY be BELOW 
the horizon. For this Fri 23 Feb 2001 it was IMPOSSIBLE for the Hilal 
to be seen from the Maimi area, or anyplace east of USA/Canada.

Hence the Sighting of Br. Javad is of something OTHER than a Hilal because 
of the approximately 40 degrees height above the horizon of his sighting.

Dr.Mohib.N.Durrani
Consultant to ISNA and 
Islamic Shura Council of North America.

3:00 pm EST 23 Feb 2001 AD

On the evening of Fri 23 Feb 2001 it is IMPOSSIBLE to see the Hilal of Zul-Hajj in USA/Canada, with the naked eye. Even with optical aids, it is nearly impossible to see the Hilal, except perhaps in south-west USA.

ISNA will be taking reports of Hilal sightings on the evening of Fri 23 Feb 2001 and this site will update the info as soon as available. We would have to wait until an hour after maghrib in the west coast to make sure that all reports have been made.

3:00 pm EST 25 Dec 2000 AD

Due to the Solar Eclipse on Mon 25 Dec 2000 (which was visible from many places in USA/Canada) the Islamic Shura Council of North America, based on consultations with Muslim Astronomers and Islamic Scholars, has decided that it is impossible for the Hilal of Shawwal to be seen on the same evening of Mon 25 Dec 2000.
Hence Eid-ul-Fitr for USA/Canada will be on Wed 27 Dec 2000, after completion of 30 days of Ramadan.
Ramadan Kareem.
The Islamic Shura Council consists of the four (4) major Islamic 
organizations in USA/Canada:

1. The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA),
2. The Ministry of Imam Warith ud-Deen Muhammad,
3. The National Assembly of Imam Jamil Al-Ameen, and
3. The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA).

10:30 pm EST 25 Dec 2000 AD

There has been a report of "apparant sighting" from San Jose, CA. When the details of the report were obtained, the orientation of the "sighting" was reported to be from approximately 1 O'Clock through 3 O'Clock to 5 or 6 O'Clock. This would make the "Hilal" to stand on one end.
For San Jose, the location of the Hilal would be nearly above the Sun and hence its orientation (if seen) would be from around 4 O'Clock through 6 O'Clock to 8 O'Clock. Hence, the "sighting" was NOT of the Hilal (Crescent Moon). May Allah swt Bless and Reward the individual who gave the report, amin.

7:15 am EST 25 Dec 2000 AD

We DO NOT expect any sightings of the Hilal on the evening of Mon 25 Dec 2000 AD from anywhere in the world.
If you feel that someone has seen a Hilal, please email that information (with a telephone number and the name of the person who actually saw a Hilal) to me at:
E-Mail: mnd@columbia.edu
Jazakumullahu Khairun,
Your brother in Islam,
Mohib.

Dr.Mohib.N.Durrani

North American Coordinator for Astronomical Information

Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)

=====================================================================
The following are the links to the latest sighting information.
  1. Eve of Mon 25 Dec 2000, Shawwal 1421 AH ? *** WORLDWIDE SIGHTING IMPOSSIBLE ***
  2. Eve of Tue 26 Dec 2000, Shawwal 1421 AH ?

  3. Eve of Sat 25 Nov 2000, Ramadan 1421 AH ?
  4. Eve of Sun 26 Nov 2000, Ramadan 1421 AH ?
  5. Eve of Mon 27 Nov 2000, Ramadan 1421 AH ?
  6. Eve of Fri 27 Oct 2000, Shaban 1421 AH ?
  7. Eve of Sat 28 Oct 2000, Shaban 1421 AH ?
  8. Eve of Sun 29 Oct 2000, Shaban 1421 AH ?
    =====================================================================
    Shaban, Nisf-Shaban, Ramadan Dates for 1421 AH
    Mon 6 Mar 2000, Zul-Hajj 1420 AH ?
    Tue 7 Mar 2000, Zul-Hajj 1420 AH ?
    Sat 5 Feb 2000, Zul-Qada 1420 AH ?
    Sun 6 Feb 2000, Zul-Qada 1420 AH ?
    Thu 6 Jan 2000, Shawwal 1420 AH ?
    Fri 7 Jan 2000, Shawwal 1420 AH ?
    Tue 7 Dec 1999, Ramadan 1420 AH ?
    Wed 8 Dec 1999, Ramadan 1420 AH ?
    Day of 1 Shaban 1420 AH: Wed 10 Nov 1999
    Mon 8 Nov 1999, Shaban 1420 AH ?
    Tue 9 Nov 1999, Shaban 1420 AH ?
    Thu 9 Sep 1999, Jummah ut-Thani 1420 AH ?
    Fri 10 Sep 1999, Jummah ut-Thani 1420 AH ?
    Wed 11 Aug 1999, Jummah dul-Awwal 1420 AH ?
    Thu 12 Aug 1999, Jummah dul-Awwal 1420 AH ?
    Tue 13 Jul 1999
    Wed 14 Jul 1999
    Sun 13 Jun 1999
    Mon 14 Jun 1999
    Sat 15 May 1999
    Sun 16 May 1999

    The Hilal for Muharran 1420 was sighted in USA/Canada in the evening of Fri 16 April 1999. Hence the 1st Day of Muharram was Sat 17 April 1999 and the day of 10 Muharram 1420 will be Mon 26 Apr 1999, for USA/Canada, inshallah.

    Fri 16 Apr 1999
    Sat 17 Apr 1999
    Wed 17 Mar 1999
    Thu 18 Mar 1999
    Tue 16 Feb 1999
    Wed 17 Feb 1999
    Sun 17 Jan 1999
    Mon 18 Jan 1999
    Fri 18 Dec 1998
    Sat 19 Dec 1998
    Ramadan 1419 AH: Reports of Hilal "Sightings" from Muslim Countries on Fri 18 Dec 1998

    Dr.Mohib.N.Durrani

    North American Coordinator for Astronomical Information

    Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)