Moonsighting for Sha'ban 1436
1436 AH
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Old Crescent Moon (End of Rajab 1436 AH), May 17, 2015 (not the new moon to start Sha'ban 1436 AH), (Photo on the right is provided by MCW member Mr. Ishaq Zunaedi from Blitar, East Java, Indonesia): This is decreasing moon that was sighted in Indnesia at 05:04 am on Sunday 17 May 2015. Click on the photo to see full size.

New Crescent Moon for Sha'ban 1436

The Astronomical New Moon (conjunction) is on May 18, 2015 (Monday) at 4:13 UT. On May 18, it would be possible but difficult to see the moon in Americas; the only possibility of easy sighting is in Hawwaii and Polynesian Island. On May 19, the moon can be seen easily in almost the whole world (See visibility curves).

1436shb1

Sighting Reports

The earliest reported sighting of the new crescent was on May 19, 2015 from Melbourne, Australia.

May 18, 2015 (Monday):

  • Barbados:

    1. Not Seen: MCW member Mr. Mohammed Patel from Bridgetown reported: Today Monday 18th May, 2015 crescent was not seen. Cloudy and overcast. Sighting attempted by many of our Jamat after maghrib at approx. 6:28p.m. Today was the 29th of Rajab, so therefore we will have 30 days of Rajab. 1st of Sha'ban will be on Wednesday 20th May Insha'Allah.

  • Ghana:

    1. Not Seen: MCW member Mr. Baba Abdulai from Tamale reported: On Monday 18th May, 2015, I was at the sighting post from about 18:08 to about 18:53 but I did not see the crescent. The sky was largely cloudy. As at 17:40, the sun had already disappeared behind the clouds which covered the western horizon. I actually did not expect to see the crescent since age of moon after conjunction (as at sunset in Tamale) was only about 14 hours, with a moon lag time of about 30 minutes. Sighting community: Tampei-Kukuo Yepalsi, (near Bi-Water reservoir), Tamale.

  • Iraq:

    1. Not Seen: Dr. AbdulSattar M. Khidhir from Musal City in Iraq reported: On May 18, the sky was clear, the atmospheric condition was clear, the crescent was not seen by naked eye.

  • Kenya:

    1. Not Seen: MCW member Mr. Ali Mohamed from Mombasa reported: Today Monday 18th May 2015 = 29th Rajab 1436 AH, I and my neighbor Mr. Mehboob tried to see the new crescent of Sha'ban 1436 Hijri at Mombasa, Kenya but the crescent was not seen.

  • Nigeria:

    1. Not Seen: MCW member Mr. AbdulKareem Isa from Garki, Abuja State reported: I could NOT SIGHT the Hilaal of Shaaban from Idu Reasearch Area, Abuja Nigeria on Monday, 18th May, 2015. The cloud was first clear but after Magrib it became cloudy as a result of coming rain.

  • Oman:

    1. Not Seen: Prof. Mohammed Al-Bussaidi from Al-Fulaij Observatory City in Muscat reported: On May 18, the weather condition was not good. The atmosphere was cloudy and hazy. As such the crescent was not sighted.

  • Saudi Arabia:

    1. Not Seen: Dr. Ayyub Patel from Abha, State of Aseer reported: On May 18, at sunset around 6:40pm the western sky was cloudy and visibility was hazy. however a small window did open up in the clouds to witness sunset. goolge sky map showed the moon crescent to be completely dark (too young to form a crescent) and setting just a few minutes after sunset. So the crescent moon was not seen and was not to be seen from this location on this evening from this point in Saudi Arabia.
      The Ummul Qura calendar shows however that Rajab has 29 days and tomorrow the 19th of May is the first of Sha'baan based on their criteria of moonset after sunset.

    2. Not Seen: MCW member Mr. Saleh M. Alsaab from alGaseem (ab0ut 350 km. north of Riyadh) reported: On May 18, the sky was partly cloudy; the atmospheric conditions were superb. I could not see the hilal because it was only three degrees above horizon. (But someone reported a possitive sighting in Sodair by nacked eye !?).

  • Tanzania:

    1. Not Seen: MCW member Mr. Hamza Rijal from Tiny Island of Zanzibar reported: The Hilaal of Shaaban has not been sighted anywhere in tiny island of Zanzibar on Monday, 18th May, 2015. Therefore, the month of Shaaban will commence from Wednesday, the 20th May, 2015 after completion of 30 days for the month of Rajab.

  • Trinidad and Tobago:

    1. Not Seen: MCW member Umar Abdullah from Bon Accord, Tobago reported: The moon was not sighted tonight May 18 (29th Rajab). Hence we will observe 30 days for the month of Rajab. The first of Sha'ban will be on the 20th May 2015.

  • USA:

    1. Not Seen: MCW member Dr. Javad Torabinejad from Blacksburg VA reported: This evening (Monday, May 18, 2015), the crescent moon was not sighted in Blacksburg, VA (Lat: 37� 15' 40" N, Lng: 80� 26' 56" W, and elevation: 646 meters). I arrived at my sighting location (Blacksburg Middle School) at 8:43 EDT (sunset: 8:25 pm EDT). Soon after, using a pair of binoculars (7X50), I started scanning the partly cloudy and hazy western horizon with no success. I ended the session at 8:54 pm (moonset: 9:03 pm). At 8:55 pm, the temperature, dew point, relative humidity, and pressure were 68.5 F, 63.70 F, 84%, and 30.18 in, respectively.

    2. Not Seen: MCW member Mr. Mohammed Yahya Shaikh from Anaheim CA reported: The moon for Shaban was not visible on Monday May 18th, 2015 in Anaheim Ca. I tried to sight right after Maghrib Salah unti, 8:30 PM PST. There was a fair amount of cloud cover and haze making sighting of hilal difficult even with the aid of binoculars.

    3. Not Seen: MCW member Mr. Mirza Shahid Basravi from Irvine CA reported: On Monday, May 18, 2015 the scenario for the sighting of the new crescent, was exceptionally important. At sunset in Irvine California the altitude of the Moon was about 7.718 degrees, but the elongation (angular distance between the Sun and the Moon) was a hefty 12.344 degrees. For this reason I was very hopeful that we should be able to sight the new crescent. I and another friend, Mr Atif Ashary, went to the Turtle rock area about 400 feet above sea level, to sight the crescent. We were there from 7:15 pm to 8:30 pm, but unfortunately the mist on the western sky was too thick, and we were not able to sight the new crescent, even with binoculars. Mr. Kazim Mamdani reported that they made a dedicated effort in San Diego, Ca. But they too were unable to sight the new crescent.

    1436shb2 May 19, 2015 (Tuesday):

  • Australia:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. Abul Qasim Rizvi, Imam Panjtan Center from Caroline Springs, VIC reported: On 29 Rajab, 19th May 2015, the moon was sighted in Melbourne and in Truganina at 5:40 pm. Weather : some places cloudy some places clear. Seen by few people.

    2. Seen: MCW member Dr. Shabbir Ahmed Imam of Rooty Hill Mosque Sydney, NSW reported: The Hilaal of SHA'BAAN has been sighted in Melbourne, on Tuesday 19th May, 2015. Therefore, the month of SHA'BAAN will start from Wednesday, the 20th of May, 2015.

    3. Seen: MCW member Engr Manzoor A Mian from Melbourne, VIC reported: Melbourne weather was although bit cloudy on Tuesday evening 19/5/2015; despite that we were able to sight crescent in Melbourne. It is also sighted in few other parts of Australia. Therefore the first day of Sha'baan was Wednesday 20th May 2015 in Australia. Click on the photo to see full size.

  • Bangladesh:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. ABM Ruhul Hassan from Dhaka reported: The sun set behind the real horizon in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, the sky near the western horizon was Superb, atmospheric condition was good, the crescent was seen by bare eye.

  • Canada:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. Humayun Ahmed from Calgary Alberta reported: On May 19 (Tuesday) for Shabaan 1436, the moon was seen; it was 1 O'clock to 7 O'clock, 5% waxing, altitude 6 degree, direction 289 degree (WNW) at 10:03 pm mountain time. See the photo (lens used was a 200mm for 35mm sensor (equivalent of 400mm on micro 4/3 sensor). See Photo

  • Egypt:

    1. Seen: MCW member Dr. Hisham M. Hamed from Cairo reported: By the grace of Allah, I and several of my colleagues, saw the crescent of Shaaban 1436, from Maadi, Cairo, Egypt, after sunset, Tue. May 19th. There was no sign of it until 18:53', at which time I went of to Maghrib prayers. My colleagues told me that they saw it at 19:05', while I was praying Maghrib. I saw it myself at 19:07'38". This serves to confirm that no sighting was possible last night, which was the eve of the 29th. Thus, exactly 29 days have passed since the sighting of the crescent of Rajab. Visibility was surprisingly particularly good today. Venus first appeared at 18:26'51", whereas sunset was at 18:44. Generally, the bent pyramid of Dahshour, ~19.6 km away, was clearly visible all afternoon. Temperature was: 33'C, Humidity: 25%, Pressure: 1009.00 mb, Dew Point: 11� C, Visibility: > 19 km. Please see the photograph Click on it to see full size.

  • Ghana:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. Baba Abdulai from Tamale reported: Date of sighting effort; Tuesday 19TH May, 2015. The crescent was SEEN in this location. I first saw the crescent around 18:25 with a 3 to 7 o�clock kind of orientation, per my observation. With 38 hours after conjunction as at sunset in Tamale, I was quiet sure that I would see the crescent very easily, and rightly so. Moon lag time too was good enough for sighting, about 1 hour and 27 minutes. Sky condition was clear with small traces of thin horizontal clouds. Sighting community; Sagnerigu, Tamale.

  • India:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. Siddik Nadvi (Nida-e-Haram), from Ahmedabad, Gujrat reported: Today Tuesday 19 May, 2015 = 29 Rajab 1436 Hijri, we tried to see the crescent of Shaban 1436 Hijri at our Institute JAMIA KANZUL ULOOM at 7:00 pm to 7:15. The crescent was seen

    2. Seen: MCW member Mr. Khalid Umer Maniar from Surat, Gujrat reported: Hilal of Sha'ban was clearly sighted on Tuesday evening and 1st Shaban 1436 will be on 20th May 2015 Wednesday in Surat Gujarat India.

    3. Seen: MCW member Mr. Abdurrahman R. Shaikh from Patan, Gujrat reported: On Tuesday 19 May 2015, 29 RAJAB 1436 (local) at Madrasa Kanze Marghoob, Patan-384265, Gujarat, India the SKY CONDITIONS were clear. Around 7:30pm Myself and 50-60 other people saw the moon. Note.:Local Chand Committee decided that tha first day of SHABAN is on 20 May 2015.

    4. Seen: MCW member Mr. Mohammed Ali Qazi from Mumbai reported: On Tuesday, 19th May 2015, there were some clouds. I and my sister tried to see between 7:40 pm to 8:05 pm. ORIENTATION OF CRESCENT HORNS: from 4 O'clock to 9 O'clock:
      FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH: Will be on Wednesday 20th May 2015
      REMARKS: Clearly visible with naked eye, but surounded by clouds.

    5. Seen: MCW member Mr. Molvi Iqbalhusen Bokda from Godhra, Gujrat reported: Moon for Shaban,1436 was easily and clearly seen today on 19th of May, 2015 i.e. 29th Rajab here in Godhra. The Sky was clear. Positive sighting reports received from almost all parts of India. So it will be first Shaban on 20th May, Wednesday.

    6. Seen: MCW member Mr. Yusuf Idara from New Delhi reported: Hilal of Sha'ban was clearly sighted on May 19, Tuesday evening and 1st Shaban 1436 will be on 20th May 2015 Wednesday in India.

    7. Seen: MCW member Mr. Mohammed Mohsin Khan from Mumbai reported: Today Tuesday 19 May 2015 / 29 Rajab 1436 in India. Here in Mumbai Sunset was at 07:07 p.m LT and Moonset was at 08:21 pm LT., Crescent has been sighted in Mumbai City and Suburbs , hence Official Moon-Sighting Committee have announced that Tuesday 19 May 2015 was 29 Rajab 1436 and Wednesday 20 May 2015 will be 1st Sha'ban 1436 in India.

  • Indonesia:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. Ishaq Zunaedi from Tumpang Village, Blitar, East Java, Indonesia reported: On 19th May 2015, the moon was sighted at 17:38pm UT+7. Weather : clear. Seen by me & my wife.

    2. Seen: MCW member Mr. AR Sugeng Riyadi from Assalaam Observatory, Surakarta Central Java reported: I've performed the crescent observation with my students from CASA (Club Astronomi Santri Assalaam) and several students from Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta at Assalaam Observatory, Kartasura, Sukoharjo on Tuesday 19 May 2015 from 16:00 to 18:30 GMT +7, the sky was clear on western horizon, the crescent had been SEEN at 17:12 with assistance of telescope and then by naked eye at 17:42. See Photo

  • Jordan:

    1. Seen: MCW member Dr. Ayman Al-Layla from Amman reported: On Tuesday, May 19, the new moon (Saa'ban Hilal) has been seen by naked eye from Amman/Jordan at about 8:00 pm. Weather was clear.

  • Mauritius:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. Nissar Ahmad Ramtoola from Port Louis reported: Alhamdulillah on May 19, the New Moon of Sha'ban 1436 has been visible in several localities in Mauritius. Earliest reported visibility was at 17:45. Sunset was at 17:40 and Moonset was at 19:00. 1st Day of Sha'ban will be Wednesday, 20 May.

  • New Zealand:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. Arief Syamsulaksana from Auckland reported: I've performed the crescent observation at suburb Dannemora, Auckland New Zealand on Tuesday 19 May 2015 from 17:00 to 17:45 GMT +12, the sky was clear on western horizon, the crescent had been SEEN at 17:36 with assistance of telescope and then by naked eye at 17:42 very faintly.
      The crescent position at the time it was sighted: - Altitude: approx. 7.9 deg. - Azimuth: approx. 299 deg. (West/North West) - Arc of crescent: 4 to 8 o'clock

  • Nigeria:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. Zaid Inrahim from Lagos Today, May 19, I sighted the moon in Lagos, Nigeria at about 7:30 p.m. It lasted for about an hour.

  • Pakistan:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. Rizwan Shah from Gujrat reported: Today 19 May 2015(29 rajab) I and my brother tried to sight the moon. My brother easily sighted the moon and its officaly annouced that moon is sighted and tomarrow will be 1st Sha'ban

  • Qatar:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. Muhammad Imran Paracha from Doha reported: On May 19, I was able to sight the crescent easily after maghrib prayer, with naked eye around 6:30 pm local time (+3 GMT). I had tired locating the moon after sunset (6:14 pm) for about 10 minutes when I had to break for Maghrib prayer.

  • Saudi Arabia:

    1. Not Seen (cloudy): MCW member Mr. Luqmaan Williams from Ta'if reported: Tuesday, May 19, 2015, unable to spot the crescent in At-Ta'if, Saudi Arabia due to extreme cloudiness. Luqmaan Williams

  • South Africa:

    1. Seen: MCW member Molvi Ashraf Dockrat from Pretoria reported: The hilal of Shabaan 1436 has been sighted under clear conditions from Pretoria South Africa. We await the official announcement from UUCSA.

    2. Seen: MCW member Mr. Rashid Motala from Durban reported: On the evening of Tuesday 19th May 2015, the Hilaal was SIGHTED in South Africa. Sha'baan 1436 commences on Wednesday, 20th May in South Africa.

  • Sri Lanka:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. Nular Bary from Colombo reported: Today 29th. of Rajab 1436H.(19/05/2015) though its a rainy evening in Colombo the Moon was sighted in several places in the country after Mahrib. Hence our Colombo Grand Mosque Hillal Committee made an announcement in the local media to start the First day of Shaban 1436H "In Sha Allah" on Wednesday 20th May 2015.

    2. Seen: MCW member Mr. Abdurrrahman Razeen from Colombo reported: On May 19, I was at my sighting place, Bambalapitiya Colombo-04 Western province of Sri Lanka, half an hour before sunset with Bro. Irfan Razik and 10 Ulama's. Sunset:6.21pm, Moonset:7.35pm, Altitude:16deg, Elongation:17deg, Lag:74 min. It was partly cloudy yet we were able to sight at 6.56pm at an altitude:10deg until 7.21pm at an altitude:3deg. The orientation was 2o'clock-8o'clock. The pictures are given below which was photographed by Bro. Irfan Razik. This crescent was sighted earlier before us in Kinniya in the eastern province and at Puttalam in N. Western province at 6.34pm. So it was decided by C.G.M to end the month of Rajab 29 day's and start the month Shaban on the 20th May 2015. Click on photo to see full size.

  • UK:

    1. Seen: MCW member Mr. Mohammad Ramtoola from Preston reported: Moon sighted in Preston UK today (May 19) at 9:18 pm. Sky was clear and moon was easily seen by many people at the masjid.

    2. Seen: MCW member Mr. Modoris Ali from Birmingham reported:: On Tuesday 19 May 2015, 9:20PM to 9:30PM, I had seen the moon. Location:Cradley Heath,(Birmingham), UK, At my front garden. Start day: Wednesday 20 May as first Sha'ban,(although according to UmmulQura it is Tuesday 19 May 2015 as first Sha'ban)

  • USA:

    1. Seen: MCW member Dr. Faisal Ahmed from Bronx NY reported: Today, May 19 2015, the sunset was at 8.10pm at 297 degree Northwest, The Moonset was at 9.43pm at 294 degree Northwest. Angle of Elevation was 16 degree and 4.4% illumination. I reached at the place of moonsighting 10 min before sunset and waited till I can see the crescent Moon. I could easily see the crescent moon at the correct position with bare eyes. So 1st Sha'aban for 1436 Hijri is 20th May 2015.

    2. Seen: MCW member Dr. Javad Torabinejad from Blacksburg VA reported: This evening (Tuesday, May 19, 2015), the crescent moon of Sha'ban was sighted in Blacksburg, VA (Lat: 37� 15' 40" N, Lng: 80� 26' 56" W, and elevation: 646 meters). I arrived at my sighting location (The Blacksburg Middle School) at 8:19 pm EDT (sunset: apparent about 8:20 and actual at 8:26 pm). Using a pair of binoculars (7X50), I scanned the mostly clear western horizon. My first binocular sighting was at 8:21 pm. The crescent elevation was about 14 degrees. Soon after, the crescent was seent with naked eye. The horns were at 2:00 and 7:00 O'clock (2:00;4:00;7:00). I left the area before moonset (moonset: 10:02 pm). At 8:35 pm, the temperature, dew point, relative humidity, and pressure were 70.7 F, 56.8 F, 61%, and 30.05 in, respectively. Click on photo to see full size.

    3. Seen: MCW member Mr. Sayyed S Rahman from Phoenix AZ reported: The sky was clear the Cresent was seen by bare eyes for month of Sha'baan on Tuesday 05/19/2015, 7:35 pm in Phoenix AZ 1436 hijri.

    4. Seen: MCW member Mr. Clay Chip Smith from Austin TX reported: On May 19, 2015 we (14 of us) saw the hilal between 8:40 and 8:45. The Hilal was about 10 or 13 degrees above the horizon. There were some clouds in the first 5 to 10 degrees of the horizon. The horns were from 3-7 O'Clock. We sighted from the patio of the Masjid Aisha (North Austin Muslim Community Center) at 11900 North Lanar Boulevard in Austin Texas. All 14 of the sighting people are Muslims. alhanduLILLAAH!

    5. Seen: Mufti Muneer of Al-Muneer Foundation Inc. from Hollis NY reported: We would like to inform you that the new moon of Shaban 1436 was sighted on Tuesday 19th May, 2015 at 8:35pm in Yokers, NY. The report has been confirmed by Darul Ifta Khatm-e-Nubuwwat Board under the supervision of Sheikh-ul-Hadith Mufti Muneer Ahmed Akhoon. Click on photo to see full size.








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