Guidelines and Methodology

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1. International / global sighting is adopted to determine the beginning of each lunar month. The sighting is done with the naked eye. Using optical aids such as magnifiers is accepted for verification. This criterion is to be applied for all 12 months of the year.

2. The date of sighting the crescent must be the 29th of the lunar month (Eve of the 30th)

3. Sighting reports will be accepted from any country in the world, from where we are able to obtain reliable information. In case, no reports are received and no countries have declared the new month, the Hilal Council will make a final decision up to 1 hour after Maghrib time of the West Coast of the Americas.

4. If a country officially declares the new lunar month based on a sighting despite astronomical data and visibility maps showing that sighting the first moon in that region is not possible, we will not accept that declaration unless another country makes an official announcement based on a sighting where it is scientifically possible even with a small chance. 

5. If sighting is not reported by an authority in a country and rather reported by a group of Muslims in a remote area, a minimum of two witnesses is required if the sky is clear in that area. Otherwise, if the sky is cloudy and the sighting is difficult, in addition to two witnesses a judge/court or a larger group of Muslims should confirm the sighting.

6. HCC is an independent body of scholars from different Sunni Schools and is not under the influence of any local or foreign government. The announcement of the Hilal will not be based on an established following of a specific country like some countries who strictly follow either Turkey, Saudi Arabia or Morocco. Rather, HCC will base its declaration following an official sighting of the moon whether in the aforementioned countries or any country in the world.

7. While using the modern tools of Astronomical data, science and moon visibility maps as a guideline for informing the general public about the scientifically most possible date of the new lunar month, the official declaration will be based on the actual sighting to uphold the tradition.

8. The official announcement for the new lunar month will be made by HCC after deliberation and verification.

In addition to the above, the following Criteria are to be met: