MALAYSIA’S official crescent moon sighting for the Islamic month of Syawal is scheduled for the evening of 19 March, taking place at 29 designated locations nationwide, the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal has announced.
The date for Hari Raya Aidilfitri will be officially declared that same night through radio and television broadcasts.
“In fulfilment of the command of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and with the consent of the Rulers, the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal hereby declares that the date for observing the crescent moon of Syawal will be on the evening of Thursday, 19 March 2026, corresponding to 29 Ramadan 1447 Hijrah,” the statement read on Monday.
The Conference of Rulers has endorsed the method of determining the date for Hari Raya Aidilfitri through both Rukyah (direct observation) and Hisab (astronomical calculation).
Designated locations for the crescent moon sighting include Baitul Hilal at Sultan Ismail Building, Pontian, Johor; Kompleks Falak Al-Khawarizmi in Melaka; Baitul Hilal Telok Kemang in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan; Bukit Melawati, Kuala Selangor; Bukit Jugra, Banting and Selangor Astronomical Observatory, Sabak Bernam, Selangor; Balai Hilal Pantai Pasir Panjang, Manjong, Perak; and Sheikh Tahir Falak Centre, Pantai Aceh, Penang.
Other northern and eastern locations include the Hilal Observation Station in Kampung Pulau Sayak and Menara Alor Setar in Kedah. In Terengganu, the crescent will be observed from Bukit Besar, Kuala Terengganu; Bukit Geliga, Kemaman; Pulau Perhentian, Besut; and KUSZA Observatory, Setiu.
In Kelantan, the appointed locations are Bukit Peraksi, Pasir Puteh; Bukit Kampung Tembeling, Kuala Krai; and SEDC Building Tower, Kota Bharu. Sarawak observers will gather at the Falak Centre, Miri; Teluk Bandung, Kuching; and Bintulu. Sabah will use Balai Cerap Al-Biruni, Putatan, while in Pahang, the crescent can be sighted from Bukit Tanjong Batu, Nenasi; Gunung Berincang, Cameron Highlands; and Menara 188, Kuantan.
Additional observation points include the University Malaysia Sabah Tower at Labuan International Campus, Menara Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya International Convention Centre, and Menara Pandang Masjid Al-Hussain, Kuala Perlis, Perlis. - March 9, 2026
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