Unfortunately some Muslim astronomers have suggested that lunar date lines should be marked on the world map for the Muslims to begin their fasting and celebrating their Eid. This would be according to the first visibility of the crescent. The so-called curved lunar date lines always keep on changing and they pass through cities, towns and even houses! They do not abide the rules of the date line. So the Lunar date lines are impracticable and meaningless. They are neither scientific nor Islamic, that are shown below.

Sighting Possibilities for Jumada-al-Thania

The moon's conjunction is on, July 29, 2003, at 6:52 Universal Time, i.e. 2:52am Eastern Daylight Saving Time - 11:52pm Pacific Daylight Saving Time of July 28th. On July 29, the moon could be seen with difficulty in South Western USA. In San Diego, the angular separation from sun at sunset will be 11.3 degrees and the altitude will be 8.4. Therefore, first day of Jumada-al-Thania is expected to be on July 30 in North America and Hawaii.

Visibility Curve on July 29, 2003



 

All maps by MoonCalc 6 © Dr. Monzur Ahmed, with Yallop's criteria, that are similar to Shaukat's criteria.
Click to find out "How to Read the Visibility Map"

Sighting Possibilities for Rajab

The moon's conjunction is on August 27, 2003, at 17:27 Universal Time, i.e. 1:27pm Eastern Daylight Saving Time - 10:27am Pacific Daylight Saving Time. On August 27, the moon is going to be about 9 hours old on West coast and cannot be seen in any part of the world. On August 28, it will be 33 hours old on West coast and of course will be easily seen Insha-Allah. Therefore, first day of Rajab is going to be on August 29 all over the globe except Australia and New Zealand, most of Northern Asia and Northern Europe.

Visibility Curve on August 28, 2003