Methods used by countires for determining the beginning of Islamic months
    Countries that follow Saudi
  1. Afghanistan
  2. Albania
  3. Armenia
  4. Austria
  5. Azerbaijan
  6. Bahrian
  7. Bangladesh (Some areas follow Saudi)
  8. Belgium
  9. Bolivia
  10. Bosnia and Hercegovina
  11. Bulgaria
  12. Chechnia
  13. Cosovo
  14. Denmark
  15. Finland
  16. France
  17. Georgia
  18. Hungary
  19. Iceland
  20. Iraq
  21. Ireland
  22. Italy
  23. Jordan
  24. Kazakhstan
  25. Kuwait
  26. Kyrgizstan
  27. Lebanon
  28. Luxembourg
  29. Mauritania
  30. Montenegro
  31. Netherlands
  32. Norway
  33. Palestine
  34. Philippines
  35. Qatar
  36. Romania
  37. Russia
  38. Spain
  39. Sudan
  40. Sweden
  41. Switzerland
  42. Syria
  43. Tajikistan
  44. Taiwan
  45. Tatarstan
  46. Turkmenistan
  47. U.A.E.
  48. UK (Some Follow Saudi) [Coordination Committee of Major Islamic Centres and Mosques of London]
  49. Uzbekistan
  50. Yemen
    Countries that follow Local Sighting
  1. Australia
  2. Bangladesh (Some Areas Follow Local Sighting)
  3. Brunei
  4. Chile
  5. China
  6. Fiji Islands
  7. Guyana
  8. India
  9. Indonesia (Some groups follow Local Sighting)
  10. Iran
  11. Kenya
  12. Malawi
  13. Mauritius
  14. Morocco
  15. Mozambique
  16. Oman
  17. Pakistan
  18. Saudi Arabia (Only for Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dhul-Hijja)
  19. South Africa
  20. Sri Lanka
  21. Tanzania
  22. Trinidad & Tobago
  23. USA (Some Follow Local Sighting)
  24. Zambia
  25. Zimbabwe
    Countries that follow Calculations
  1. Algeria
  2. Canada - Fiqh Council of North America/Islamic Society of North America
  3. Egypt - Moon Born before sunset & moon sets at least 5 minutes after sunset
  4. Indonesia - Some groups follow calculations: Age > 8 hours, altitude > 2°, elongation > 3°
  5. Libya - Moon must be born before Fajr in Libya
  6. Malaysia - Age > 8 hours, altitude > 2°, elongation > 3°
  7. Tunisia - Criteria of age, or altitude, or sunset-moonset lag
  8. Turkey - Altitude > 5°, elongation > 8°
    The Islamic calendar used in Turkey is based (partially) on the results of the Conference for Determining the beginnings of Lunar Months which was held in Istanbul, on 28 November 1978.
  9. USA - Fiqh Council of North America/Islamic Society of North America. The criteria are Moon must be born before Sunset in Makkah, and moonset after sunset in Makkah. These criteria are not applicable for Eid-al-Adha, for which it is relied on Saudi Announcement of Hajj.
    Countries that follow Global Sighting (From Other Countries), if not seen in their country
  1. Canada - Some Follow News from other countries
  2. Bermuda - News from other countries
  3. New Zealand - News from Australia if not seen in New Zealand
  4. Suriname - News from Guyana if not seen in Suriname
  5. UK - News from countries east of UK (e.g., Morocco, South Africa)
    No specific criterion! Decision varies year by year
  1. Nigeria
   Updated August 1, 2012