Malaysia uses rukyah, hisab to determine beginning of Syawal
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is using rukyah (sighting) and hisab (calculation) to determine the beginning of Syawal, said Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz.He said the differences in determining the date of Aidilfitri among Islamic countries, including Malaysia, was due to the differences of matlak, the rising and setting of hilal (new moon).
This also depends on the practice adopted by religious authorities in respective countries whether rukyah or hisab is used or both, he said in a statement today.
He said the national Islamic Calendar Technical Committee which met in April had submitted a report on the setting the new moon of Syawal to the Office of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal for reference in determining the beginning of Syawal.
“The criteria of imkanur rukyah at sunset, with new moon above the horizon of not less than two degrees and the distance curve (between new moon and the sun) not less than three degrees,” he said.
Wan Mohamad said another way of determining the new moon appeared and disappeared from the horison was when it was less than eight hours and this method was calculated after ijtimak (the appearance of a new moon).
In Malaysia, he said, the data for three major months, namely Ramadan Syawal and Zulhijjah were based on coordinates of two reference points —Tanjung Atiam, Sabah (the most eastern station) and Tanjung Chincin, Langkawi (the most western station).
In order to determine the beginning of Syawal 1431, he said sighting of the new moon of Syawal would be done on 29th Ramadan or this afternoon. — Bernama
September 8, 2010, Wednesday
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