The sighting of the Syawal new moon to determine the date for Hari Raya Puasa (Aidilfitri) will be on the evening of Saturday, Aug 18, which is the 29th day of Ramadan in the Muslim calendar, according to a statement from the office of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal today.

The Conference of Rulers has agreed that the date for Aidilfitri be fixed based on ‘rukyah’ (sighting of the new moon) and ‘hisab’ (astronomical calculations).

“The Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal will announce the Aidilfitri date over radio and television the same night,” said the statement.

The locations for the sighting of the Syawal moon are Pontian Kecil; Kompleks Falak Al-Khawarizmi, Tanjung Bidara; Telok Kemang, Port Dickson; Bukit Melawati, Kuala Selangor; Bukit Jugra, Kuala Langat; Balai Cerap Selangor, Sabak Bernam; Pantai Pasir Panjang, Manjong district; Pusat Falak Sheikh Tahir, Pantai Aceh (Penang).

The other locations are Kampung Pulau Sayak, Kuala Muda; Pemandangan Indah, Pulau Langkawi; Menara Alor Star; Bukit Besar, Kuala Terengganu; Bukit Geliga, Kemaman; Pulau Perhentian, Besut; Balai Cerap KUSZA, Setiu; Bukit Peraksi, Pasir Puteh; Bukit Kampong Tembeling, Kuala Krai; Menara Bangunan SEDC, Kota Baru; Tanjong Lubang, Miri; Teluk Bandung, Kuching; Tanjung Batu, Bintulu.

The sighting of the new moon will also be conducted at Balai Cerap Al-Biruni, Putatan; Bukit Tanjong Batu, Nenasi; Gunung Berincang, Cameron Highlands; Bukit Pelindong, Kuantan; 13th Floor Universiti Malaysia Sabah Tower, Labuan International Campus; Kuala Lumpur Tower, Putrajaya International Convention Centre; and Kuala Sungai Baru, Simpang Empat (Perlis).

- Bernama