The conjunction of the new moon for the month of “MUHARRAM” will occur next Sunday, 5th at 5:36 pm Greenwich time. On that day, it will be impossible to sight the crescent from anywhere in the Muslim World because the moon will set before the Sun. However on Monday December 6th, sighting the new crescent with an unaided eye will be very easy from the most of North and South America continents and the west of Africa, while it could be seen by unaided eye from most of Africa and some south- western regions of Asia. Sighting the crescent in the regions of South Asia, South Europe and Australia needs telescope.

Since the crescent could be seen on Monday December 6th in a multitude of places of the Muslim World, it is expected that the majority of the Muslim countries will start the month of MUHARRAM on Tuesday, December 7th Allah willing.

Looking at the moon on Monday, December 6th in some Muslim and Arab cities, using astronomical calculations we observe the following:

The sighting of the moon on Monday will be possible with the use of a telescope in : Abu Dhabi, Amman, and Cairo; while it would be difficult to be seen with no aid in : Jakarta, the Blessed Makkah, and Rabat.

For the ICOP’s Administrative Board,
Mohammad Odeh (President)

Translated By Omar Bouderdaben