All praise is due to Allah the Lord of all worlds. Prayers and peace be upon our beloved Prophet, Muhammad, his family and all of his companions.
The Federation of Islamic Association of New Zealand (FIANZ) is the umbrella national organisation responsible for making decisions and announcing to the Muslims of New Zealand matters related to the appearance of the new crescent (Hilal) and the start of the Islamic Months.
FIANZ delivers this responsibility through its Hilal Committee.
The Hilal Committee consists of members who have religious, scientific and/or astronomical knowledge to carry out the task.
The current members of the Hilal committee include:
Sk. Mohammed Amir (Chairperson)
Sk. Mohammad Anwar Sahib
Sk. Khalil Nadat
Sk. Alaa Mubarak
Dr Anisur Rahman (technical advisor)
Br Jasim Adam (technical advisor)
Dr Salman Ashraf (technical advisor)
The Hilal Committee has a list of contacts from each Muslim organisation throughout New Zealand (Please check you are on the contact list by sending email to info@fianz.com).
During the last week of each lunar month, the Hilal Committee sends a notice to those on the contact list and as well as the Secretaries of Local Associations/Trusts advising them that the 29th will fall on such day/date and requests that Muslims in their area look for the new crescent.
Sighting for the new moon will take place within the timeframe of visibility specified by scientific and astronomical calculation.
The FIANZ office remains open on the 29th of the month and the Chairman of the Hilal Committee is in contact with the office to obtain updates regarding the sighting of the new crescent. The FIANZ office number is: 043878023.
The FIANZ Hilal Committee shall work towards issuing a confirmed announcement within a 3-hour period from the time of sunset on the day of sighting. (Unless an exceptional circumstance arises).
If no information regarding sightings is received, the Chairperson shall contact the Hilal Committee’s designated contacts around the country.
If no sighting is reported as a result of these enquiries, an announcement shall be issued on the FIANZ website and via FIANZ social media within a 3-hour period after sunset advising the community that the current month shall consist of 30 days.
If a sighting is reported to the FIANZ office, the Chairperson of the Hilal Committee undertakes verification in consultation with the other Committee members. At this time all necessary Shariah rulings, scientific, and astronomical information are taken into full consideration in reaching a decision.
Once a decision has been made, an announcement will be issued on the FIANZ website and via FIANZ social media within 3-hour period after sunset advising the community about the sighting of the new moon.
A circular is also sent to those on the contact list, local associations/trusts and our Pacific neighbours.
The Hilal Committee has decided in its meeting held on 17 March 2022 that it will rely primarily on the moonsighting from within New Zealand only.
Reference may be made to sightings confirmed by the Fiji Muslim League, as Fiji falls within the same time and visibility zone as New Zealand. Additionally, sightings from neighbouring Pacific Islands, which share a similar time zone, may also be referenced.
Acceptance of any sighting from Fiji and Pacific Islands shall be at the sole discretion of the FIANZ Hilal Committee who will consider all necessary Shariah rulings, scientific and astronomical information. These will be taken into full consideration in reaching a decision.
For Eid’ul Adha, it was decided in the Hilal Committee meeting held on 28 July 2007
that we will apply the same principle of sighting the moon, but will be mindful that
we should not delay our observation more than a day later after it was observed in
Makkah, in order to try and align the day of Arafat. However, similar to our approach with the Pacific Islands, all factors will be taken into account on the expected sightability using our minimum criteria before making a decision. This means we may not be in alignment every year.
The Federation of Islamic Association of New Zealand (FIANZ) is the umbrella national organisation responsible for making decisions and announcing to the Muslims of New Zealand matters related to the appearance of the new crescent (Hilal) and the start of the Islamic Months.
FIANZ delivers this responsibility through its Hilal Committee.
The Hilal Committee consists of members who have religious, scientific and/or astronomical knowledge to carry out the task.
وصلى الله وسلم على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين
For any communication regarding this matter please refer to:
Sheikh Mohammed Amir, Chairperson, FIANZ Hilal Committee,
Email: info@fianz.com
You are invited to follow a live stream of the Hilal sighting on 29 Shaban/Ramadhan on the FIANZ Facebook page.
