Anak Bulan

Anak bulan if translated direct to the point in English means child moon or moon's child. It's weird to call anak bulan as child moon in English so don't call it child moon or moon's child anymore. Actually anak bulan or crescent moon known as hilal in Arab language. Anyway, I will call it anak bulan since it was used to be call like that in Malaysia.

Anak bulan will be visible in early month of Hijrah

Based on the picture, you can see anak bulan clearly above KLCC building if the weather is bright and it is not obstructed by cloud. Actually I should have research about anak bulan and posted this entry earlier before our Government announced the first Ramadhan...

Before I tell you why this entry should be created earlier, let's find out places for moon sighting..

The place for moonsighting in Malaysia :

Pontian Kecil, Johor
Kompleks Falak Al-Khawarizmi, Kampung Balik Batu Tanjung Bidara, Melaka
Teluk Kemang, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
Bukit Melawati, Selangor
Pulau Angsa, Selangor
Bukit Jugra, Selangor
Balai Cerap Selangor, Selangor
Pantai Pasir Panjang, Manjong; Perak
Pusat Falak Sheikh Tahir, Pantai Aceh, Pulau Pinang
Kampung Pulau Sayak, Kedah
Pemandangan Indah Langkawi, Kedah (It's a homestay I think)
Menara Alor Setar, Kedah.
Bukit Besar Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
Bukit Kemuning, Terengganu
Kemaman, Terengganu
Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu
Balai Cerap KUSZA, Setiu, Terengganu
Bukit Peraksi Pasir Putih, Kelantan
Bukit Kampung Tembeling Kuala Krai, Kelantan
Menara Bangunan SEDC Kota Baharu, Kelantan
Bukit Tanjong Batu Nenasi, Pahang
Gunung Berincang Cameron Highlands, Pahang
Bukit Pelindong, Kuantan di Pahang.
Kuala Sungai Baru, Perlis
KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur
Pusat Konvensyen Antarabangsa Putrajaya, Putrajaya
Tanjong Lubang, Miri, Sarawak
Teluk Bandung, Kuching, Sarawak
Tanjung Batu, Bintulu, Sarawak
Balai cerap Al-Biruni, Tanjung Dumpil, Sabah
Menara Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah.
rojakpunya.blogspot.com

Anak bulan in York, United Kingdom

I got information from anonymous that anak bulan can also be seen at Masjid Abu Bakar Johor Bahru and Muar, Johor without using telescope or binocular. Whether it's true or not I think I will look for anak bulan Syawal (first moon of Aidilfitri) at Masjid Abu Bakar or Muar to witness the truth.

I insist to do this after I read this in Moonsighting website :

Sighting Reports from Malaysia

1. Not Seen: Zaki Afifi (MCW member) from Seremban reported: Attempted sighting on Sunday 31st July, in Seremban Malaysia. Location was not strategic and obstructed. Sighting as an act of taabbud. Hilal not sighted but the government has announced first day of fasting on Monday.
2. Not Seen: Firdaus Mazlan (MCW member) from Johor Bahru reported: On Sunday, 31th July 2011 M equal to 29 Sya’ban 1432 H, I with my friend (around 30 people) cannot see the new moon either with telescope or with naked eye. Our location at Baitul Hilal, Teluk Kemang, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia (02:26:43.0 N , 101:51:16.0 E). My friends from other places like Muar (02:03:0 N , 102:34:0 E), Pontian Kechil (1:29:20.68 N , 103:23:08.60 E), Johor Bahru (1:38:0 N , 103:40:0 E), Kota Tinggi (01:44:0 N , 103:53:0 E) and Melaka (02:15:0 N , 102:15:0 E) also cannot see the new moon.  

However, our Government have announced the first Ramadan 1432 H on 1st August 2011 (Monday).

How come the Government announced it on 1st August even anak bulan not seen on 31st July? How about you read another reports from Brunei and Indonesia.

Sighting Reports from Brunei

1. Not Seen: Dr. Mohammed Hussain Ahmad (MCW member) from Brunei Darussalam reported: The new moon was not sighted in Brunei Darussalam today 31st July 2011, Therefore the 1st Ramadan 1432 will start on Tuesday, 2nd August 2011. 

Sighting Reports from Indonesia

1. Not Seen: Ahmad I. Adjie (MCW member) from Bandung reported: I, Ahmad Adjie and team - Thoriq Gunara, Ridwan and Zahrah, from Bandung, Indonesia reports that today, Sunday 31 July 2011 Hilal was NOT SEEN in the northern hills of Bandung. There were patches of clouds but it would not have interfered with sighting.

Same like sighting reports from Malaysia, anak bulan cannot be seen in Brunei and Indonesia on 31st July 2011. However only Brunei Government announced the first Ramadhan on 2nd August 2011.

What is Moonsighting website?

Interface of Moonsighting website

It is an advisory and consultation website, for use by Islamic organizations, Mosques, and Hilal Committees in deciding the start of Islamic months based on possibility of anak bulan sighting. This website is not in the business of making, implementing or dictating decisions on the start of Islamic months. It also reports actual sighting info from all over the world as they are received.

MCW (Moonsighting Committee Worldwide) members are individuals who try to observe the anak bulan, because they understand the importance of moon sighting.They observe not only anak bulan for Ramadhan and Syawal but ALL the Islamic months.

Believe it? Jangan biarkan diri anda diselubungi misteri...HHU75MRWA82W

Source :
Moonsighting Reports
Moonsighting Committee Worldwide
Lokasi lihat anak bulan di Malaysia
Brunei announces Ramadhan on 2nd August 2011