Ramadan New Moon

the picture above is the expected moon visibility as in www.moonsighting.com.

(just click ignore warning, and proceed to the website) .

Moonsighting for Ramadan 1430 The Astronomical New Moon is on August 20, 2009 (Thursday) at 10:01 UT. This moon can not be seen in any continent. There is a small chance to see only in Polynesian Islands on August 20. On August 21, it is very difficult to see in Europe and Canada. It can be seen with difficulty in India, Pakistan, Middle East, and Northern Africa. On August 21, it can be easily seen in Australia, most Africa, and Americas.

Quote from the Book, shown on left: "In the year 2006, the Fiqh Council of North America took the position that the scientifically authenticated astronomical calculations are a valid Islamic source of confirming or negating a lunar Islamic month. Subsequently, a number of papers appeared refuting the Fiqh Council's position. Among the papers written against the Fiqh Council's position, the two authored by Shaikh Hamza Yusuf were perhaps the most systematic. These two articles titled "Cesarean Moon Births" were also perhaps the most provocative in the sense that they forcefully challenged the use of astronomical calculations in confirming the Islamic months as totally un-Islamic. In his writing, Hamza Yusuf insinuated that such a position was nothing short of deliberately opposing the "infallible" (mutawatir) commandments of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and was equal to following the pitfall of the Children of Israel all the way to their lizard hole....................." well, what do you know..my instinct says, I agree. check the website HERE.