Ramadhan 1425H sighting in Malaysia.
All the analysis below is for Teluk Kemang, Malaysia.
| Date | Moon above horizon? (Moonset after sunset?) | Age of new moon | Perhaps possible to see the moon? | From visibility calculation criteria? (historical observation by astronomers) |
| Thu, 14/10/2004 | YES | 8h 13 m | NO! | NO! |
| Fri, 15/10/2004 | YES | 1d 8h 14m | YES | YES |
Ramadhan was announced to start in Malaysia (Friday, 15/10/2004) based on the minimum visibility criteria of the moon being 2 degrees above the altitude at sunset and with the age of 8 hours and not from sighting. However, this 8 hours crieria has no practical basis. There is talk now in Malaysia to increase this to 12 hours or using other criteria. Ramadhan should then began earliest on Saturday, 16/10/2004 and not Friday (15/10/2004).
As the result of fasting a day ealier than they should, Malaysians fasted for 30 days when they could have fasted for only 29 days.
Syawal 1425H sighting in Malaysia.
| Date | Moon above horizon? (Moonset after sunset?) | Age of new moon | Perhaps possible to see the moon? | From visibility calculation criteria? (historical observation by astronomers) |
| Fri, 12/11/2004 | NO! | |||
| Sat, 13/11/2004 | YES | 20 h 35m | YES | YES |
Malaysia celebrated Eidul Fitri on Sunday (14/11/04) which is correct.
To understand the methodology I have used to arrive at this conclusion, please refer to Ramadhan 1425H and Syawal 1425H sighting analysis in Nigeria.