JPA Daily Buzz - Edisi 31 2026

page 1 31st Edition/ 2026 16 March 2026 Behind every story, there is a team that works with heart. The Pulsekeeper Dr. Diyana Hassim The VisionWhisperer Norazizul The Pixel Alchemist Sabrina The Buzz Architect Lidyawati The Buzzkeeper Nurfazlina The Light Catcher Syukran The Buzz Crew As Hari Raya approaches, one announcement is always eagerly awaited across Malaysia. “The new crescent moon has been sighted…” Or sometimes: “The new crescent moon has not been sighted.” That single announcement determines when the entire country will celebrate Hari Raya. But have you ever wondered why? Why do we still look for the new crescent moon to determine the start of Syawal, while many other countries simply rely on a calendar? How exactly does the process work? In Islam, the beginning of months in the Islamic calendar is determined by the appearance of the new crescent moon, known as the hilal. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, meaning it follows the cycle of the moon rather than the sun. A lunar month lasts about 29 or 30 days, depending on when the crescent moon becomes visible after the new moon phase. Why Do We Still Look for the NewMoon to Begin Hari Raya?