Date for sighting of new moon for Ramadan set for Feb 28

SHAH ALAM - The date for sighting the new moon of Ramadan to determine the beginning of fasting for Muslims in Malaysia this year has been set for Feb 28, or the evening of next Friday.

In a statement, the Keeper of Rulers' Seal Office announced that the Conference of Rulers had agreed that the determination of the beginning of Ramadan would be based on Rukyah (moon sighting) and Hisab (astronomical calculations).

"In accordance with the command of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, after obtaining the consent of Their Royal Highnesses, the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal declares that the date for the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan will be on the evening of Friday, Feb 28, 2025, corresponding to 29 Syaaban 1446 Hijri," the statement said on Thursday.

The statement also mentioned that the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal would announce the official start of Ramadan on the same night through radio and television broadcasts.

Additionally, relevant committees had been granted approval to conduct the moon sighting at 29 designated locations across the country on that evening.

The locations include Pontian Kecil, Johor, and Kompleks Falak Al-Khawarizmi, Kampung Balik Batu, Tanjung Bidara in Melaka.

Other locations would be at Kompleks Baitul Hilal Telok Kemang, Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan; Bukit Melawati, Kuala Selangor; Bukit Jugra, Banting, Kuala Langat; and Balai Cerap Selangor, Sabak Bernam in Selangor.

Next, Pantai Pasir Panjang, Mukim Pengkalan Baru in Manjung, Perak; Pusat Falak Sheikh Tahir, Pantai Aceh in Penang; as well as Kampung Pulau Sayak, Kuala Muda; Pemandangan Indah, Langkawi; and Menara Alor Setar, Alor Setar in Kedah.

Other locations include Bukit Besar, Kuala Terengganu; Bukit Geliga, Kemaman; Pulau Perhentian, Besut; Balai Cerap Kolej Ugama Sultan Zainal Abidin (KUSZA), Mukim Merang, Setiu in Terengganu; as well as Bukit Peraksi, Pasir Puteh; Bukit Kampung Tembeling, Mukim Manjur, Olak Jeram District, Kuala Krai; and the Tower of Kelantan State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Jalan Tengku Putra Semerak, Kota Bharu in Kelantan.

Furthermore, moon sighting would also take place at Pusat Falak Miri; Teluk Bandung, Kuching; and Tanjung Batu, Bintulu in Sarawak; Balai Cerap Al-Biruni, Tanjung Dumpil, Putatan in Sabah; while in Pahang, the locations include Bukit Tanjong Batu, Nenasi; Gunung Berincang, Cameron Highlands; and Menara Kuantan 188.

Other selected locations are Level 13, Menara Universiti Malaysia Sabah, International Campus Labuan; Menara Kuala Lumpur; Putrajaya International Convention Centre; and Menara Pandang Masjid Al-Hussain, Kuala Perlis.