Moonsighting for Sha'ban 1431

1431 AH
 MUH  SFR  RBA  RBT  JMO  JMT  RJB  SHB  RMD  SHW  ZQD  ZHJ 

The Astronomical New Moon is on 11 July 2010 (Sunday) at 19:40 UT. On July 11, it cannot be seen anywhere. On 12 July, with difficulty it may be visible in Africa, but will be easily visible in Americas. On 13 July, it will be easily visible all over the world. See the visibility map below:

Sighting Reports

The earliest sighting of the new crescent was on Monday, July 12, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa.


Sunday, 11 July 2010:

No sighting or negative sighting reports:

  • USA:

    1. Not Seen: Javad Torabinejad (MCW member) from Blacksburg VA reported: This evening (Sunday, July 11, 2010), the crescent moon of Sha'ban was not sighted in Blacksburg, VA, using a pair of (10X50) binoculars. I arrived at the sighting location before sunset (sunset: 8:43 pm EDT) and started looking for the crescent right after the sunset for a few minutes (moonset: 8:44 pm EDT). For apparent reasons, there was no way to sight the crescent under our conditions. The main purpose was to prepare for tomorrow's sighting by locating Mercury and the sunset location. Mercury was easily seen through binoculars and only at 9:15 pm, it became somewhat visible by naked eye. At 9:00 pm, the temperature, dew point, relative humidity, and pressure were 78.8 F, 62.6 F, 57%, and 30.0 in, respectively. For the most part, the sky was clear with a few patches of clouds close to the western horizon.



    Monday, 12 July 2010:

    • Bangladesh:

      1. Not Seen: ABM Ruhul Hassan (MCW member) from Dhaka reported: The Shaban crescent was not seen from Bangladesh on 12th July, Monday.The sky was somewhere cloudy,partly cloudy and clear.After counting 30 days of Rajab, 14th July,Wednesday will be the first Shaban in Bangladesh.

    • Canada:

      1. Not Seen (due to haze in western horizon): HiMY SYeD (MCW member) from Toronto Ontario reported: After praying maghrib Salat at the Dawah Centre in Downtown West End of Toronto, I looked for the new moon, and instantly knew it would be impossible to sight. There is a solid haze in the distant western horizon this evening, making any sighting highly improbable.

      2. Not Seen: Baig Muhammad Tamachi (MCW member) from Peterborough Ontario reported: On July 12, due to clouds and mostly overcast westerly skies, it was not possible to see the Sha`Baan Hilaal.

    • Kuwait:

      1. Not Seen: Hussain Khushaish (MCW member) reported: In Kuwait at Kabad desert on Monday 12 July 2010 I could not see the crecsent even with 8" Gps aligned telescope. The western horizon was hazy. I could see the tiny Mercury with diffeculty.

    • Malaysia:

      1. Seen w/Telescope: Zaki Afifi (MCW member) from Seremban reported: Last night, (Monday 12th July 2010), new moon was visible with optical aid (18" Reflector Telescope) in Malaysia at 7:51pm. Mr Firdaus Mazlan (MCW member) was with us yesterday (12 July).

    • Mauritius:

      1. Not Seen (Heavy Clouds): Goolam Tegally (MCW member) from Port Louis reported: Hilal was NOT sighted this evening here in Mauritius due to heavy clouds. 1st Sha�baan will therefore be Wednesday 14 July 2010.

    • Morocco:

      1. Not Seen: Ehsan H. Hajar (MCW member) from Casablanca reported: I was unable to see hilal Sha'baan this evening in Casablanca Morocco. The NW horizon was high in humidity with passing clouds at times. Unless sighted some where else in the country specially down south, Rajab will be completed 30 days according to Habous criteria.

    • Nigeria:

      1. Not Seen (overcast sky): AbdulBariu Kareem (MCW member) from Obanikoro Lagos reported: The Hilal for Shaban was not sighted this evening today 12th July,2010 here in Obanikoro area of Lagos the sky was overcast with little rain and thunder storm.

      2. Not Seen (cloud and rain): Sheik A.A. Ishola (MCW member) from Ikorodu, Lagos reported: I and Sheik Daud Adelakun tried to search for the oday 12-07-10 at teh back of jubilee estate Ikorodu but the Crescent was not seen due to the cloud and rain lagos this evening I Call Prof. nafaty in bauchi and brother simwal in kaduna and lajnatul hilal from ilorin called me all report negative.

      3. Not Seen (cloudy): Imam Majolagbe Monsuru (MCW member) [The Mufti of Ikorodu], Lagos reported: I searched for the crescent of sha'ban 1431 last night 12 07 2010 but all my efforts resulted into not seeing it due to cloudy sky Shaekh Majolagbe Monsur (The Mufti of Ikorodu),

    • Pakistan:

      1. Not Seen: Sultan Alam (MCW member) from Karachi reported: Today (Monday, 12 July 2010 = 29 Rajab 1431 in Pakistan), on my request nearly 200 persons (members of the moon-sighting committees of our institute "JAMIA-TUR-RASHEED" + my friends + their companions) tried to sight the moon at more than 30 places all over Pakistan but the moon could not be sighted, as it was expected tonight. Almost it was full cloudy all over Pakistan.

      2. Not Seen: Khurram Imtiaz (MCW member) from Lahore reported: On 12th July moon is not sighted in Lahore as sky is not very clear in Lahore.

    • Senegal:

      1. Not Seen (partly cloudy): Ibrahima Thierno LO (MCW member) from Dakar reported: Sighting the crescent by naked eyes was tried, but it was not seen. The sky near the western horizon was partly cloudy. For the National Committee of Hilal sighting, 1st Sha`aban in Senegal will be Wednesday 14 July.

    • South Africa:

      1. Seen: Dr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim (MCW member) from Cape Town reported: The Shabaan 1431 AH Hilaal was seen by naked-eye this Monday evening [12 July 2010 and the end of 29 Rajab 1431 AH]. It was sighted from my station at the Green Point lighthouse, and also from sighting points at Bakoven, Three Anchor Bay and Signal Hill. All of these locations are in and around Cape Town. Venus and Mercury were visible and it was easy to track the setting moon by telescope and binoculars. The official first day of Shabaan will correspond with Tuesday, 13 July 2010 in Southern Africa.

      2. Seen: Rashid Motala (MCW member) from Durban reported: The Hilaal for Sha'baan was sighted in several places this evening in S. Africa. Easy sightings.

    • Sri Lanka:

      1. Not Seen: Rasheed Farook (MCW member) from Colombo reported: I myself did watch this evening 12th July 2010. it was cloudy and could not see the moon. Further I got information from Batticaloa and Trincomolee 21:23 7/12/2010 in Sri Lanka that they too could not see. After staying till 7.15 pm (sunset 6.32pm) I proceeded to the Colombo Grand Mosque where the Moonsighting Committee was on stand-by for information from different areas in Sri Lanka. The committee did not receive any info regarding sighting - and therefore concluded that we in Sri Lanka complete 30 days for Rajab and start the first of Sahban on 14th July 2010.

      2. Not Seen (Overcast): Nular Bary (MCW member) from Colombo reported: Today 29th of Rajab 1431H (12 July 2010) in Colombo Sri Lanka, Western sky was overcast; it was very difficult to sight the Shaban Crescent by naked eye and there were no reports from any other cities either. Hence our Hilal committee have decided to complete the month of Rajab with 30 days and start the Month of Shaban 1431 on 14th July 2010 "InshaAllah"

    • Tanzania:

      1. Not Seen: Zaffar Sheriff (MCW member) from Daressalaam reported: Details for July 12, Monday: [Sunset 6.21pm, Altitude 9.5, Elong. 10.5, Age 19hr 41min, Duration 46min.] Clear conditions at sunset, however haze prevailed just above the western horizon. The crescent was not seen by anyone in our little group of eight.

    • UK:

      1. Not Seen (but used S. Africa sighting): Qamar Uddin (MCW member) from York reported: On Monday 12 July 2010 (29 Rajab 1431 AH) many people from throughout UK have attempted to sight the crescent moon (Hilal) of Shaban after sunset. Most places were cloudy, so none of the groups were able to sight Hilal. However, we have received reliable sighting news (Muhaqaq Ruyat-e-Basari) from countries in East of UK (including South Africa). Therefore, the Ulama have decided that the month of Rajab 1431 AH will have 29 days and the month of Shaban 1431 AH will start from Tuesday 13 July 2010 (which means the night of 14 Shaban will be on Monday 26 July 2010), Insha-Allah.

      2. Not Seen (but used S. Africa sighting): Aziz Raje (MCW member) from York reported: On July 12, We had some clear patches but mostly cloudy on the western horizon in the South East of UK, we were not able to sight the Hilal. We have not received any reliable news from anywhere else in the UK. However we have received news of positive sighting in South Africa. Wifaqul Ulama have therefore announced the 1st of Sha'ban in the United Kingdom will be from Tuesday 13th July Insha Allah.

    • USA:

      1. Not Seen (Cloudy): Javad Torabinejad (MCW member) from Blacksburg VA reported: This evening (Monday, July 12, 2010), the crescent moon of Sha'ban was not sighted in Blacksburg, VA, using a pair of (7X50) binoculars. I arrived at the sighting location before sunset (sunset: 8:43 pm EDT) and started looking for the crescent in the opening patches of a mostly cloudy western horizon. Although the expected location for the crescent was cloudy most of the time, I stayed there till 9:15 pm before moonset (moonset: 9:26 pm EDT). At 8:40 pm, the temperature, dew point, relative humidity, and pressure were 69.8 F, 69.8 F, 100%, and 29.97 in, respectively.

      2. Not Seen (Cloudy): Qazi Azam (MCW member) from New Haven, CT reported: I am a member of moonsighting committee of Islamic Center of Hamden, CT. We go out at least once every month to see the moon. We went out yesterday to see the Shaban moon but could not see it because of Cloudiness.

      3. Not Seen (Light Clouds): Ms. Ruth Jeffery (MCW member) from Baton Rouge LA reported: Despite very clear skies with only light clouding on the horizon, no sighting was made in Baton Rouge, LA on July 12.

      4. Seen: Mohamedraza H.Janmohamed (MCW member) from Sanford FL reported: Based on the various sightings of the New Crescent in Texas and California, on Monday July 12, 2010; and under the guidance of Seyyid Muhammad Rizvi � Tuesday July 13, 2010 is established as The FIRST DAY of Sha�baan 1431 AH.

      5. Not Seen: Clay Chip Smith (MCW member) from Austin TX reported: On Monday 2010 July 12 (the 29th of Rajab) after Maghrib Salah at the North Austin Masjid (NAMCC), about a half dozen of us looked for about 30 minutes for a break in the clouds to see the Hilal. The clouds cover was too dense. We never saw the Hilal that night.

      6. Seen: Zachary Twist (MCW member) from Hayward CA reported: On July 12, our group of 3 adults and 8 children sighted the moon from J.A. Lewis park in the hills of Hayward, California. The crescent was visible 28 minutes after sunset approximately two fingers above the horizon from 9:00pm to 9:06pm when it sunk behind some very low clouds. The hilal was to the left of where the sun had set and its tips were at 1 o'clock and 6 o'clock. The weather was clear with a very light haze and a few sparse clouds closer to the horizon. The hilal was very, very faint and very difficult to see. Four of the children who are experienced moon sighters were unable to see it even as hard as they tried. Two adults saw it clearly and one adult was only able to see it for less than a minute.

      7. Seen: Imran Imam (MCW member) from Irvine, CA reported: Today, July 12, Monday, I saw the moon for about 3-4 minutes clearly before it was about to set around 8:45 pm.

      8. Seen: Mohammed Yahya Shaikh (MCW member) from Anaheim CA reported: I first saw the hilal with the naked eye for Shaban at 8:25 PM local time time in Anaheim, CA. I then showed it to my father and two other brothers who also witnessed the same. My Uncle Abdul Vahed and 15 other brothers also sighted the hilal from the porch of King Fahad Mosque in Culver City.


    Tuesday, 13 July 2010:

    • Australia:

      1. Seen: Engr Manzoor A Mian (MCW member) from Melbourne, VIC reported: Sha'ban crescent has been sighted in Brisban today Tuesday, 13th July 2010, Hence first sha'ban is tomorrow 14th July, Wednesday. It was windy, raining, about 10 degree Centirade temperature in Melbourne at time of sighting.

      2. Seen: On Behalf of Dr. Shabbir Ahmed (MCW member) Imam of Rooty Hill Mosque Sydney, NSW, Mr Gulam Qutbuddin Siddiqui reported: On behalf of Dr Shabbir Ahmed, Imam Rooty Hill Mosque Sydney I wish to inform you that the helal was sighted in Australia today the 13th of July 2010/29th Rajab 1431 AH. On the basis of the above information the month of Sha'baan commences here on Wednesday 14th July 2010.

    • India:

      1. Seen: Mazhar Pallumirah (MCW member) from Chennai reported: ON 13.07.2010, Shaban moon was sighted in Chennai clearly despite of dull weather and partly cloudy.

      2. Seen: Iqbalhusen Bokda (MCW member) from Gujrat reported: Moon for Shaban has easily sighted today on 13th July here in Gujarat though the sky was partly cloudy. I request Indian MCW members to send their Cell No to me at [email protected] so that I can contact them to get sighting reports during holy months.

    • Jordan:

      1. Seen: Ahmad Abu Zaid (MCW member) from Amman reported: The Sha'ban Hilaal was sighted by naked eye this Tuesday, July 13, 2010 7/13/2010 8:07:58 PM from my sighting station at Amman city.

    • Pakistan:

      1. Seen: Sultan Alam (MCW member) from Karachi reported: On my request, Today (Tuesday 13 July 2010 = 30 Rajab 1431 in Pakistan) nearly 200 persons (Members of the moon-sighting committees of our institute "JAMIA-TUR-RASHEED" + my friends + their companions) tried to sight the moon at more than 25 places all over Pakistan and resultantly moon was easily seen in all four provinces at those places where the sky was partially cloudy or nearly clear. As many places were totally cloudy like Karachi therefore moon was not sighted there. It was officially announced yesterday that 1st Shaban 1431 is on Wednesday, 14 July 2010, in Pakistan.

    • Saudi Arabia:

      1. Seen: Luqmaan Williams (MCW member) from Ta'if reported: On Tuesday, July 13, 2010, the moon sliver was spotted at approximately 7:27 p.m. in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia by two fellow believers and myself after the evening prayer.

    • Sri Lanka:

      1. Seen: Nular Bary (MCW member) from Colombo reported: Today 30th. of Rajab 1431H (13/7/2010) in Colombo Sri Lanka their was little clouds in the western sky I was able to sight the Shaban Crescent by naked eye this evening through the clouds "Mashaallah" Anyway yesterday our Hilal committee have decided to complete the month of Rajab with 30 days and start the Month of Shaban 1431 on 14th.Wednesday July 2010 "Inshaallah" due to no sighting report reached them till 10pm. yesterday(12/07/2010 (our sun set time 6:32 pm.)

    • Tanzania:

      1. Seen: Hamza Rijal (MCW member) from Island of Zanzibar reported: In the tiny island of Zanzibar Hilal was sighted and today Tuesday 13 July for the month of Shaaban 1431 AH.

  • top Back to Top