Sighting of the Hilal For Safar 1434

On Thursday, 13 December 2012 (29 Muharram 1434 AH) many people from throughout the UK have attempted to sight the crescent moon (Hilal) of Safar after sunset. None of the groups were able to sight the Hilal, as most places were cloudy. We  have not received any reliable sighting reports (Muhaqaq-Ruyat-Basari) from east of UK either.

Therefore, the Wifaq Ulama have decided that the month of Muharram 1434 AH will complete 30-days and the  month of Safar 1434 AH will start from Saturday 15 December 2012, Insha-Allah.

Hilal For Safar 1434 Visibility Map

Please observe Hilal for the Month of Safar 1434 on Thursday evening 29th Muharram / 13th December 2012, in accordance to the Sunnah

Click here for the Visibility chart

Islamic lunar months one or two days after Saudi Arabia

The Muslims of Pakistan (or India) are used to sighting the crescent moon (Hilal) of Islamic lunar months one or two days after Saudi Arabia, which has only 2 (or 2.5) hours time-zone difference between the two (or three) countries. Analysing five years (i.e. 60 months) predicted Crescent Visibility (Imkan-e-Ruyat) data, the following table proves there should be a maximum of 10% difference between the two (or three) countries and up to 90% of the time there should be no differences! The greater differences appear to be due to the Saudi Ummul Qura calendar psychologically biasing the witnesses towards false reports as published by a Saudi Astronomer, Dr Ayman Kordi (see 2 links below).

Predicted Crescent Visibility Differences between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia (1434 - 1438 AH)

The Psychological Effect On Sighting Of The New Moon by Dr Ayman Kordi 

Newsletter: Muharram ul Haram 1434AH

Click here to download PDF

Over the years Central Moonsighting Committee  has continued to claim that it does not believe in astronomical calculations or calendars based on astronomical calculations calling them 'Jewish/Pagan moon sighting calculation systems'. Even in the latest newsletters, astronomical calculations have been described as 'Jewish/Pagan moon sighting calculation systems'.

Yet, strangely enough, the same groups, namely Hizbul Ulama and Jamiatul Ulama, have in the past year (1433AH) used the 'astronomical calculation' based Ummul-Quraa calendar for basing the months of Rabi ul Awwal, Rabi ul Aakhir, Jumad ul Awwal, Jumad ul Aakhir, Rajjab, Sha'baan, Ramadhan, Shawwal, Dhul Qa'dah, Dhul Hijjah and now Muharram. Further, they will use the same calendar to base the coming months as well!

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