Sunday 3rd July 2011 is the 1st of Sha’ban 1432 H
in most of the Muslim countries
Due to the approaching of the blessed month of Ramadhan, the astronomical and juristic (Shar’i) references take special care in observing the crescent moon and accurate determination of the beginning of the month of blessed Ramadhan. The astronomical calculations indicate that, in shaa Allah , the moon conjunction for the month of SHAABAN 1432 Hijri will occur on Friday 1st of July 2011 at 8:45am international Standard time.
On this day, it will be impossible to see the crescent in the continent of Australia, the north and east of Asia, north of Europe and Canada due to the setting of the moon before the setting of the sun. It will not be possible to see it either in central and western Asia and southern Europe and the entire African continent and half of the south of North America and eastern and southern part of South America because the conditions to sight the moon using any method, even with a telescope, are not met. The sighting of the moon is limited only in the far southern, central and western South America using a telescope.
As for Saturday July 2nd, the moon would be easily seen with unaided eye in the majority of the continents, and possible but a little hard with unaided eye in southeast Australia, central Asia, Europe and Canada; as it will require a telescope to see it in narrow strips in central Asia and northern Europe.
On this basis,it is expected that The Muslim countries and organizations that require the eye sighting of the moon for the beginning of the months, will announce the beginning of the month of Shaaban on July 3rd. As for those who only require for the moon to be present after sunset, then they will announce the beginning of the month of Shaaban to be on July 2nd. The following table lists data of the crescent moon in some select Muslim cities on Saturday, July 2nd,
On behalf of the Administration Board of the ICOP
Basma Diab, Media Committee President.
Translated by : Omar Bouderdabbin ( Media Committee Member )
