Welcome to CrescentWatch Australia, the official website for the Australian National Crescent Sighting Coordination Centre (ANCSCC)! This website will provide Muslim Australians with access to monthly crescent sighting results covering all regions of Australia. The website will also be an online resource for data, information and guidance, which will help understand the obligatory nature of crescent sighting every month to establish the Islamic Lunar Calendar.
Current Moon Phase
Learning Resources
Crescent Watch
Crescent Moon Watch
Islamic Crescents’ Observation Project
Latest News
Rabbi ul-Thani 1431 Sighting Information
The topocentric New Moon Conjunction for the lunar month of Rabbi ul-Thani will occur on Tuesday, 16th March, 2010 at 06:08 AEDT (6.08am Sydney time).
The correct date to observe the crescent of Rabbi ul-Thani is upon sunset of Wednesday, 17th March, 2010 at sunset time. Read More»
ICOP Chairman interviewed on Al-Jazeera TV
The Chairman of Islamic Crescent Observations Project (ICOP), Mohammed Odeh was interviewed on Al-Jazeera TV regarding errors in determining the Islamic lunar months.
Official ANCSCC Statement
The Islamic Law has a clear methodology for determining the beginning of the lunar month for devotional purposes. Every month is to commence upon the initial physical sighting of the waxing crescent moon on the western horizon of the evening sky after sunset. The method for beginning the month of Ramadhan is no exception as the Messenger of Allah clearly said,“Begin your fast upon sighting [the crescent moon] and end your fast upon sighting [the subsequent crescent].” The four schools of Sunni Islam hold that this is an unambiguous, clear textual proof that is not open to subsequent interpretation.
ANCSCC adheres to this Prophetic methodology. With the assistance of an experienced international team of crescent observers, we endeavour to share with the Muslim community information concerning the beginning of the lunar months, with special attention paid to the months of Ramadhan, Shawwal, and Dhul Hijja. God willing, we will continue to provide this service to the Australian Muslim community.
