Sighting Of the New Moon

The Conference of Rulers during its 92nd meeting on 15 and 16 March 1972 agreed to determine the dates for the start of fasting, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha for the whole of Malaysia. Prior to 1972, the determination of these dates fell under the jurisdiction of the individual states.

The sighting of the new moon to determine the start of fasting for the whole of Malaysia was carried out for the first time on 29 Shaaban 1392 corresponding to 7 October 1972 in Teluk Kemang, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. Since then, the declaration for the start of fasting, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha has been made by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal via radio and television after receiving the assent of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Their Royal Highnesses the rulers of the states.

Method of Determination

The method used for determining the start of the fasting month (the start of Ramadan), Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in Malaysia is based on physical sighting and calculation.

Rukyah was determined through observations at all 29 places listed as Hilal Observation Places (Seeing the Crescent Moon Since 1972 Until Now). Reports from the observation officer cover the facts of the time of the observation and the weather conditions during the observation.

Hisab is determined by an astronomer from JAKIM according to the criteria of Imkanur-Rukyah, which is the visibility of the crescent moon or crescent moon that has been agreed by the Council of Rulers. The criteria were based on mutual agreement by members of the Informal Meeting of Ministers of Religion of Brunei Darussalam, Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore (MABIMS) in the Third Rukyah and Islamic Calendar Coordinating Committee Meeting on 29 Zulkaedah 1412 equivalent to 1 June 1992 in Labuan.

A meeting was held between the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal Office with JAKIM (Falak Division) and RTM to ensure the necessary action, including ensuring that electricity supply and telecom services were not disrupted during observation and for announcement matters.

The recording of the announcement was made in two situations, namely assuming (i) the crescent moon is visible and (ii) invisible i.e. whether Syaaban and Ramadan amount to 29 or 30 days.

The secretariat is established in the Office with the responsible RTM officers and astronomers from JAKIM. Reports were received from all observation centers. Upon completion, the report is presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for approval.

As soon as the consent was received, the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal informed the RTM officer at the Secretariat for him to order the appropriate announcement to be made. Usually all these actions can be completed before 8 pm and therefore, the effort is announced during RTM news.

See also ABOUT THE DETERMINATION OF THE EARLY RAMADAN 1438H/2017 IN MALAYSIA / IMKANUR RUKYAH CRITERIA / NEW MOON AGE