PUTRAJAYA: The sighting of the new moon of Zulhijjah to determine the date of Aidiladha this year has been set for Sunday (May 17) at 29 locations nationwide.
The Office of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, in a statement, said that the official date for Aidiladha will be announced on the same night via radio and television broadcasts.
"The Conference of Rulers has agreed that the determination of the date for Aidiladha will be based on the ‘rukyah’ (moon sighting) and ‘hisab’ (astronomical calculations) methods,” it said.
The 29 locations nationwide include Baitul Hilal Sultan Ismail Building in Pontian, Johor; the Al-Khawarizmi Astronomy Complex in Kampung Balik Batu, Tanjung Bidara, Melaka; the Negri Sembilan Observatory (MAINS); Baitul Hilal Bukit Melawati in Kuala Selangor, Selangor; and Baitul Hilal Bukit Jugra in Banting, Kuala Langat, Selangor.
Other locations include the Selangor Observatory in Sabak Bernam, Selangor; Baitul Hilal Pantai Pasir Panjang in Manjung, Perak; and the Sheikh Tahir Astronomy Centre in Pantai Aceh, Penang.
In Kedah, the locations are Kampung Pulau Sayak, Kuala Muda; Pemandangan Indah on Langkawi Island; and Menara Alor Setar.
Other locations are Bukit Besar, Kuala Terengganu; Bukit Geliga, Kemaman; Pulau Perhentian, Besut; the KUSZA Observatory in Setiu, Terengganu; Bukit Peraksi, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan; and Bukit Kampong Tembeling in Kuala Krai, Kelantan.
Additional locations include Menara Bangunan SEDC in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. In Sarawak, the locations are the Miri Falak Centre in Miri; Teluk Bandung in Kuching; and the Bintulu Falak Centre in Bintulu.
In Sabah, the moon sighting will be conducted at the Al-Biruni Observatory at Tanjung Dumpil, Putatan. In Pahang, the locations are Bukit Tanjong Batu in Nenasi, Gunung Brinchang in Cameron Highlands, and Menara 188 in Kuantan.
Another four locations are the Universiti Malaysia Sabah Tower at the Labuan International Campus; Menara Kuala Lumpur; the Putrajaya International Convention Centre; and the observation tower at Masjid Al-Hussain, Kuala Perlis. - Bernama
