Dr. Ali B. Panda (MCW member) Marawi City, Philippines reported: Not Seen
Marawi, Philippines-The Ulama League of the Philippines (ULP) led by Judge Abu Ali Cali as President and Aleem Murad Amanoden as Mufti announced tonight that moon was not sighted in the Philippines. The members of moon-sighting committee of the ULP tried to sight the moon at different places in the country. Nearly, all reporters are religious leaders.They tried at these places but it was certain that the crescent was not sighted anywhere in the country and therefore the month of Saaban be completed 30 days and the first day of Ramadhan 430 AH. will be on Saturday August 22, 2009.

Dr. Musa�Minhai (MCW member) Linxia, Gansu Province, China reported: Not Seen
On Friday, 21 August 2009 , I and my son could not see the crescent of Ramadan by naked eye and binoculars, because it is cloudy. In China, Officially, the first day of Ramadan is on 21 August 2009 (Friday, calculations by calendar). Some muslims will begin on (saturday) 22 August 2009 (30 days completion)

Mohammed Mohsin Khan (MCW member) Mumbai, India reported: Not Seen
Today Thursday 20 August 2009 / 28 Shaban 1430 in India. Here in Mumbai Sunset was at 07:03 pm IST and Moonset was at 06:58 pm IST. It was certain that the crescent would not be sighted anywhere in India today because moonset occurred before sunset. Moon age was 3 hrs 27 mins. I tried to sight the moon due to the 29th day according to the Ummul-Qura calendar but it was not sighted.

Ahmad Abu Zaid (MCW member) Amman Jordan reported: Not Seen
The Moon Crescent was not SEEN today, 20th Aug 2009.

M H Zulqarnain (MCW member) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia reported: Not Seen
Authorities in Saudi Arbai, just announced that Ramadan moon could not be sighted any where and as such Friday 21 Aug will be 30th of Sha'ban and Saturday is 1st of Ramadan, inshaAllah.

Eng. Rami Labib (MCW member) Cairo, Egypt reported: Not Seen
Moon not seen in Cairo.

Abdallah Mushtaq Khambiye (MCW member) Mombasa Kenya reported: Not Seen
I and friends on 20th Aug 09 try to sight for the moon but we didnt see it. Will try today inshallah and will send you the feedback.

Ahmed Mohamed Barakah (MCW member) Windhoek Namibia reported: Not Seen
Moon was not sighted in Windhoek NAMIBIA, on Thursday 20th , therefore ramadan will start on Saturday 22nd.

Hamza K from Bosnia reported: Ramadan starts on August 21 without seeing the moon.
See the announcement on http://www.rijaset.ba/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7085

Jamal Mimouni (MCW member) President, Sirius Astronomy Association, Algeria reported: Not Seen
The National Committee for the Hilal Sighting headed by the Minister of Religious Affairs himself has announced on Thursday evening on national TV that the first day of Ramadhan will be on Saturday 22 August in view of, I quote:
1- The non sighting of the crescent anywhere in Algeria this Thursday evening.
2- The accurate scientific data which states the impossibility of such a sighting.

Imam Majolagbe Monsuru (MCW member) Lagos Nigeria reported: Not Seen
I briefly attempted crescent sighting today 20 August 2009 but not sighted.
More over sighting of the crescent may not be claimed today from Northern part of Nigeria as usual because the Sultan of sokoto had not called for crescent sighting due to new criteria adopted by Nigeria supreme council for islamic affairs after a 2 day scholars forum held on 6-7 July 2009; therein astronomical calculation is adopted to aid actual sighting; sighting should not be called for until enough hours elapse after conjunction.

Tanzil Tiagi from Sweden reported: Not Seen
Ramadan announced for Saturday 22nd August in Sweden. The Islamic Federation of Sweden (IFiS) announces that Ramadan 2009, starts on the 22nd of August. IFis wants to take this oppurtunity to wish all a blessed Ramadan, full of good deeds and true worship.

Susanne Khammar from Tunisia reported: Not Seen
Tunisian Islamic authorities announce, the new moon of Ramadan 1430 was NOT sighted today on August 20th in Tunisia. Therefore Saturday, August 22nd, will be 1st day of Ramadan inscha'Allah after completing 30 days of Shabaan. [Source of information: TV7 Tunis.]

Saraj Qazi from UK reported: Calculations
Markazi Aulema & Musha'ik Council UK & Europe & Markazi Jamat Ahle Sunnat UK & Europe: On following the Sunnah of RasoolAllah SAW and the Shariah, Sec. General Allama Qazi Abdul Aziz Chishti & President Markazi Jamat Ahle Sunnat Allama Zafar Mahmood Firashwi jointly announced due to the impossible sighting of the Moon in Majority of the world on the 20th August and limited sighting on the 21st August. We Officially announce the 1st of Ramadhan to be Saturday, 22nd August 2009. May Allah SWA give the Leaders of the Islamic ummah Taufiq to announce the correct sighting and follow the true teachings of our Beloved Prophet PBUH. The Jamat's wish all of the Muslim Ummah a blessed Ramadhan Kareem. Ramadhan Mabrook.

Danyal Shoaib from London, UK reported: Not Seen
The Coordination Committee of Major Islamic Centres and Mosques of London has agreed that 1st Ramadan 1430 will be on Saturday, 22 August 2009. Tarawih prayers will begin on Friday evening.

Salim Chishti (MCW member) New Lebanon, NY reported: Not Seen
The crescent was not sighted on Thursday evening in New Lebanon, NY. We will stand a vigil on Friday evening, insha'allah.

HiMY SYeD (MCW member) Toronto Ontario reported: Not Seen
The Greater Toronto Area experienced a very serious thunderstorm. By Maghrib 8:14 p.m. local time however, the storm had cleared over downtown Toronto, and after praying at home, I head out to see the Hilal. The western sky was a beautiful mix of orange and red coloured clouds with a few spots of blue peeking through. Because of the remaining cloud cover following the storm, it is not possible to see the new crescent.

Baig Muhammad Tamachi (MCW member) Peterborough Ontario reported: Not Seen
As expected from Crescent Moon visibility charts, the highly anticipated Ramadhaan 1430 Hilaal was NOT SEEN in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada this evening on Thursday, August 20th 2009. Time of observation was totally obscured and overpowered by very severe thunderstorms and serious lightening hazards; and the entire region was "covered" by Thunderstorm & Tornado warnings, this evening.

Nuh ibn Zbigniew Gondek (MCW member) Ottawa, Ontario reported: Not Seen
Reporting from Ottawa, Canada, today, Thursday, 20th August 2009 on my own, I did not sight the new moon. The sky of cloudy. Our sunset time was 8:02 pm. Today is the 29th of Shaban tomorrow will be the 30th -- and Ramadan will started on Saturday August 22, 2009, insha'Allah locally.

Mohammad Al-Bedaiwi (MCW member) Austin Texas reported: Not Seen
I attempted the sighting of the moon tonight, Aug 20 in Austin Texas. I was 5 min before sunset till 10 min after. And no Moon Sighting. The sky was clear.

Jim Stamm (MCW member) Tucson Arizona reported: Not Seen even with telescope
I was NOT able to see the crescent, even through a telescope.

Mohammed Yahya Shaikh (MCW member) Culver City California reported: Not Seen
I tried to look for the hilal for the blessed month from 7:35 to 7:50 pm local time. Local time for moon set in Culver City, Ca was approximately 8 min after sunset, despite this oppertunity and also favorable conditions for moonsighting the hilal was not sighted.

August 21, 2009 (Friday):

Dr. Shabbir Ahmed (MCW member) Imam of Rooty Hill Mosque Sydney Australia reported: Seen
The Hilaal of RAMADAAN 1430 has not been sighted in Sydney due to the cloudy weather, however, it has been sighted in Melbourne and Brisbane and other states on Friday the 21st of August, 2009. Therefore the Moonsighting Committee of Australia and Majlisul Ulamaa� of Australia have declared that the month of RAMADAAN UL MUBAARAK 1430 will start from Saturday the 22nd of August, 2009. RAMADAAN MUBAARAK to all.

Engr Manzoor A Mian (MCW member) Melbourne Australia reported: Seen
I wish to inform you that Ramadan Crescent has been just sighted in Melbourne, Brisbane and other part of Australia on 21st Aug 2009 Friday evening. Thus the Ramadan first day in Australia starting tomorrow 22nd Aug. 2009 Saturday.

Ahmad I. Adjie (MCW member) Bandung Indonesia reported: Seen
The crescent moon for Ramadhan 1430 has been SEEN today Friday 21 August 2009 in Pancur beach, Plengkung, Alas Purwo National Reserve, East Java 1st of Ramadhan is therefore confirmed on saturday 22 August

Mutoha Arkanuddin (MCW member) Yogyakarta Indonesia reported: Seen
Today is the second day of my crescent observation. Me and some members of Indonesian Crescent Observation (ICO) and some Official Team from Lajnah Falakiyah of Nahdhatul Ulama Organization tried to sight the crecent from the Brambang Hill near Yogyakarta. According to the calculation, sunset at 17:38 LT, moon at sunset 11� 11' above the horizon and moonset at 18:29. Alhamdulillah, the crescent was seen for the first time by telescope about 4 minutes after sunset then by naked eye about 20 minutes after sunset. Base on this report the first day of Ramadhan in Indonesia begin on Saturday, 22 August 2009. More on http://rukyatulhilal.org.

F. R. Sarkar from Bangladesh reported: Not Seen
Congratulations on your correct predication about the Sighting of Ramadan Moon. Today, August 21, Moon was not sighted over Bangladesh, so the Moonsighting Committee of the Government of Bangladesh has declared that Roza will start from Sunday, 23 August.

ABM Ruhul Hassan (MCW member) Dhaka Bangladesh reported: Not Seen
The sky was cloudy, moon was not seen anywhere in the country. After 30 days of Shaban we will observe ramadan from 23 August, Sunday.

Iqbalhusen Bokda (MCW member) Gujrat, India reported: Not Seen
Crescent has not been seen here in Gujarat. The sky was clear. Negative sighting reports comes from many parts of the country, so the first day of Ramazan will be on Sunday. MOLVI IQBALHUSEN (MCW member), Gujarat, India

Mohammed Mohsin Khan (MCW member) Mumbai, India reported: Not Seen
Today Friday 21 August 2009 / 29 Shaban 1430 in India. Here in Mumbai Sunset was at 07:02 pm IST and Moonset was at 07:40 pm IST. so there was 38 mins difference but Sky was cloudy hence Crescent has not been sighted in Mumbai and in Most Parts of India. Official Moon-Sighting Committee of INDIA have officially announced that Saturday 22 August 2009 is the 30th Shaban1430 and 1st Ramadan 1430 will fall on Sunday 23 August 2009. Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims.

Nular Bary (MCW member) Colombo, Sri Lanka reported: Seen
21st August 2009. Today 29th Shahban 1430 in Sri Lanka we were able to sight the new moon of Ramazan Masha Allah just after magharib.Hilal seen in many places in the island. Mainly in the southern city of Galle. Though the Colombo western sky was cloudy unable to sight in Colombo, our hilal committee of Sri lanka declared starting of Ramazan on the 22nd saturday of August 2009 "Insha Allah".

Captain Tahir Gul Hasan (MCW member) Lahore Pakistan reported: Not Seen
The RAMADAN crescent was NOT SIGHTED at Lahore on the evening of 21 August 2009.

Sultan Alam (MCW member) Karachi Pakistan reported: Not Seen
On my request, Today (Friday, 21 August 2009 = 29 Shaban 1430 in Pakistan) many hundred persons (Members of the moon-sighting committees of our institute "JAMIA-TUR-RASHEED" + My friends + their companions) tried to sight the moon all over Pakistan at nearly 60 places but the moon could not be sighted. Generally the weather was cloudy and hazy but it was clear at some places. Chairman of central official moon-sighting committee of Pakistan "Mufti Munee-bur-Rahman" also announced officially that Saturday 22 August 2009 is the 30th Shaban and 1st Ramadan 1430 will fall on Sunday 23 August 2009.

Hussain Khushaish (MCW member) Kuwait reported: Not Seen
In Kuwait at Kabad desert I and a group of about 70 persons could not see Ramadan crescent even with 8" telescope. It was hazy such that the sun disappeared 14 minutes before our local sunset.

Dr. J. Nazemi from Iran reported: Seen
Iran Starts Ramadan from Saturday (It is claimed, that Moon has been seen), Ramadan Mubarak

Alireza Mehrani (MCW member) Esfahan Iran reported: Seen w/Binoculars
The crescent of Ramadan has been observed on Friday, August 21, 2009, at 10:30 am LT (06:00 UT) by 5 person of Iranian observers under the supervision of Mr. Mohsen Sharifi with the 14" telescope (from 10:30 to 12:00 LT). Also, 4 other groups of Iranian observers in Kashan, Esfahan, Shah Reza and Zahedan observed the Ramadan crescent at sunset by using binoculars. This further proves that Moonsighting,com visibility curves are so accurate. Please look at the visibility curves for August 21 above.

Goolam Tegally (MCW member) Port Louis Mauritius reported: Seen
Hilal was sighted in Mauritius this evening Friday 21 August in a clear sky. 1st Ramadhan will be Saturday 22 August here. Ramadhan Mubarak to all our Brothers & Sisters.

Mahmood Essa (MCW member) Mombasa Kenya reported: Seen
I am happy to report that the Ramadan crescent was seen in some parts of Kenya on Friday evening, and Saturday 22/08/2009 was declared by the chief kadhi of Kenya as being the first day of Ramadan.

Ahmad Abu Zaid (MCW member) Amman Jordan reported: Not Seen
Ramadan was announced for Saturday 22nd August in Amman Jordan, although the Moon Crescent was NOT SEEN today, 21st Aug. 2009 FRI. RAMADAAN MUBAARAK to all.

Dr. Hadi Jaafar (MCW member) Lebanon reported: Not Seen
I could not sight the moon this evening in Beirut. I scanned the fairly clear western horizon with a 7*50 binocular from sunset till 30 minutes after with no success. Wind was calm, temperature was 29 degrees celcius. Ramadan Mubarak.

Abdallah Mushtaq Khambiye (MCW member) Mombasa Kenya reported: Seen
On 21 Aug 09 the sky was full of clouds and it was impossible to sight the moon, but our Qadhi after Maghrib prayers announced that it was sighted in other parts of Kenya and we have begun our saum, today on 22 Aug 2009. Ramadhan kareem to all!

Yusuf M. Lambat (MCW member) Blantyre, Malawi reported: Seen
In Malawi, the Hilaal was clearly visible and was seen in all parts immediately after Magrib salaat ie 5.50 pm local time. We have also started the Ramadaan today - Sat 22 Aug 2009.

Dr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim (MCW member) Cape Town S. Africa reported: Seen
The Ramadaan Hilaal was sighted by naked-eye in many parts of northern and eastern South Africa (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban) and confirmed by relatives and friends on this Friday evening [21 August 2009 and the end of the 29th Shabaan 1430 AH]. Here in Cape Town it has been overcast and it was impossible to see the Hilaal. The official 1st day of Ramadaan in Southern Africa will correspond to Saturday, 22 August 2009.

Rashid Motala (MCW member) Durban S. Africa reported: Seen
The Hilaal was sighted this evening in many places in S. Africa. An easy sighting. Ramadaan Mubaruk to all.

Muhammed Yasin Qamardeen (MCW member) Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria reported: Seen
Here at Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria we are able to sight the new crescent for the month of Ramadan along with lots of common folk in the neighborhood though it not easily detect as result of partial cloud at western sky and because it is low on horizon. Meanwhile report from locaion from Sokoto, Kaduna and Maiduguri indicates positive result as well. This Year Ramadan is the first of it, as Nigeria as a whole insha Allah will be Ramadan on Saturday 22, though with different criteria, but all effort are appreciated.

Sheik A.A. Ishola (MCW member) Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria reported: Seen
I and my Visitor Sheik Hasan Zarooq From ILorin sighted the Ramadan Crescent infront of my Yard Ikorodu, Lagos everybody inside our house sighted the crescent around 7:20 p.m. later covered by patches of cloud. happy Ramadan. Thanks for the progress we made in Nigeria.

Ibrahima Thierno LO (MCW member) Dakar Senegal reported: Seen
I haven't seen the crescent myself in Dakar, beacause the western horizon was cloudy. But in other localities, the Ramadan Crescent has been sighted on 21st Aug 2009 Friday evening : Bignona, Kolda, Oussouye, Tambacounda and other part of Senegal. Thus the Ramadan first day in Senegal starting tomorrow 22nd Aug. 2009 Saturday.

Milad Ali Ershaghi (MCW member) Holmenkollen, Norway reported: Not Seen
I tried to find the new moon of Ramadan this evening (Friday, 21 August 2009) from 10:15pm until 10:30pm in Sognsvann located in the northern part of Oslo, Norway. Local sunset time was 8:53pm (after local moonset time: 8:33pm) - and it was impossible to see the moon. I attempted to sight it anyhow - but was unable to - and there were clouds preventing a clear view of the sky.

Aziz Raje (MCW member) Ilford, Essex UK reported: Not Seen
We had clear conditions in the South East of UK, many of us attempted sighting after Maghrib Salah but we were unable to sight the Hilal. There is no reliable news from anywhere else in the UK, however we have confirmed sighting news from many parts of South Africa and Zambia. Wifaqul Ulama have therefore announced that the 1st Day of Ramadhan 1430 will on Saturday 22nd August 2009 Insha Allah. Ramadhan Mubarak

Suleman Manjra (MCW member) Barbados reported: Not Seen
Cloudy conditions here in Barbados. There was no sighting.

Dr. Muhammad Hafiz (MCW member) Guyana reported: Seen
Myself and the members of Rose Hall Town Masjid and Islamic Center, tried to observe the Hilaal after sunset on Friday, 21st August, 2009. The Hilaal was observed at 6:35 PM. It was also seen in other parts of Guyana by other Muslim Communities. The first fasting in Guyana begins on Saturday.

Isa Mohammed (MCW member) Chguanas, Trinidad reported: Seen
I am reporting a confirmed sighting, in Trinidad & Tobago, on Friday 21st August at 6:55pm. There was significant cloud cover, but the moon became visible through a gap in the clouds for about a minute. During that time it was easily seen, naked eye, but at least five people. I was able to capture the photo .

Saleh Bhai Bhattay (MCW member) Panama reported: Seen
Aaj 21 Agust ko Panama me chaand dekha gaya. Ramzanul mubarak ki dua me yad farmayen.

Javad Torabinejad (MCW member) Blacksburg Virginia reported: Not Seen
This evening (Friday, August 21, 2009), I tried sighting the moon in Blacksburg, VA, with no success. The western horizon was mostly cloudy. I arrived at my sighting location prior to sunset and started scanning the open patches, using a pair of binoculars (7X50). I left for another location in town when more clouds moved into the suspected moon position in the W/WSW.

Dr. Hussain Dashti (MCW member) Gainesville, Florida reported: Seen
The Hilal was easily seen from Gainesville, Florida by naked eyes

Dr. Mir Murtaza Ali from Dallas, Texas reported: Seen
The moon has been sighted in Dallas Texas USA on Friday 21st Aug 2009 . We at Alghadeer Education Foundation Houston Texas are observing Saturday 22nd August as first of Ramadan Mubrak. We belong to Shi'aa isnaa-ashari. We wish you a Happy Ramadan

Moon sighting has always been a controversial issue among Muslim countries, and even scholars seem at odds over the issue.

One group of scholars says that Muslims in any region can follow the moon sighting anywhere as long as these regions share part of the night (e.g., European Council for Fatwa & Research).

A second group of scholars says that Muslims in all regions and countries can follow the moon sighting anywhere in the world (e.g., Moonsighting.com and Affiliates).

A third group states that Muslims everywhere should abide by the dates observed by Saudi Arabia (e.g., most Middle-East countries).

A fourth group, however, disputes above views, arguing that the authority in charge of ascertaining the sighting of the moon in a given country announces the sighting in that country. (e.g., Pakistan).

August 21, 2009 (Friday): These are all based on calculations of moon birth, not the possibility of sightings except as noted.

1. Albania (Calculations)
2. Bosnia and Hercegovina (calculations)
3. Bulgaria (Calculations)
4. China (Calculations)
5. Kosovo (Calculations)
6. Libya (calculations)
7. Montenegro (Calculations)
8. Romania (Calculations)
9. Serbia (Calculations)
10. Turkey (Calculations)

August 22, 2009 (Saturday):

1. Algeria (Calculations)
2. Australia (Sighting)
3. Bahrian (30 days completion)
4. Belgium
5. Brazil - Posted from
6. Canada (Sighting accepted from other locations)
7. Checkoslovakia
8. China (30 Days completion)
9. Egypt (Calculations)
10. France (30 Days Completion)
11. Ghana (Sighting)
12. Guyana (Sighting)
13. Hungary (30 Days Completion)
14. Indonesia (Sighting)
15. Iran (Sighting)
16. Iraq (30 days completion)
17. Italy
18. Japan (30 Days completion)
19. Jordan (30 days completion)
20. Kuwait (30 days completion)
21. Lebanon (30 days completion)
22. Mauritania (30 Days Completion)
23. Mauritius (Sighting)
24. Morocco (Sighting)
25. Namibia (30 days completion)
26. Netherlands (30 Days Completion)
27. Nigeria (Sighting)
28. Oman (Sighting)
29. Palestine (30 days completion)
30. Philippines (30 days completion)
31. Qatar (30 days completion)
32. Saudi Arabia (30 days completion)
33. Senegal (Sighting)
34. Singapore (30 days completion)
35. Somalia (30 days completion)
36. Spain (30 days completion)
37. Sudan (30 days completion)
38. Sweden (30 days completion)
39. Switzerland (30 Days Completion)
40. Syria (30 days completion)
41. Tanzania (Sighting)
42. Tunisia (30 days completion)
43. U.A.E. (30 days completion)
44. UK (30 days completion)
45. USA (Sightings as well as FCNA and ISNA decision)
46. Yemen (30 days completion)

August 23, 2009 (Sunday):

1. Bangladesh (sighting in own country)
2. India (sighting in own country)
3. Pakistan (sighting in own country)

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