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Crescent Moon Visibility of Muharram 1444 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Muharram 1444 (RHS) shows that the moon will be born on 28 July 2022 at 17:55 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK to Morocco region on that date. However, on 29 July 2022, the moon may be visible in Morocco but not in the UK. Hence, the month of Muharram is most likely to start on 30 July in Morocco and on 31 July 2022 in the UK, InShaAllah.
When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Muharram 1444 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Muharram 1444 AH on 29 & 30 July 2022 (29th Dhul Hijjah and the next day) after sunset from the western horizon and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form. [Photo Competition]
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Muharram 1444 AH
Announcement for start of Muharram 1444 AH (Transition)
On Friday 29th July 2022 (29th Dhul Hijjah 1443 AH) the Hilal of Muharram 1444 was sighted in Morocco (MA), but not in the UK (by the naked eye). We have also received a positive sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
Therefore, the start of the month based on the Regional (UK – MA) and Local (UK-only) Moon Sighting criteria are given below.
Regional (UK - MA): the month of Dhul Hijjah 1443 AH will have 29-days and the month of Muharram 1444 AH will start from Saturday 30th July 2022, making Ashura (10 Muharram) fall on Monday 8th August 2022, InShaAllah.
Local (UK-only): the month of Dhul Hijjah 1443 AH will complete 30-days and the month of Muharram 1444 AH will start from Sunday 31st July 2022, making Ashura (10 Muharram) fall on Tuesday 9th August 2022, InShaAllah.
It is recommended to fast on the 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th or all 3-days (9th, 10th and 11th) of Muharram, InshaAllah.
Signed by (Ulama Panel): Maulana Abdullah Ahmed, Maulana Yusuf Mota, Shaykh Suliman Gani. Witnessed by Eng. Qamar Uddin, ICOUK.net (Dated 29/7/2022 23:00 BST)
Reference: Towards Local Moon Sighting (UK) | Regional Moon Sighting and the Use of Optical Aid
Significance of Ashura (10 Muharram) 1. Narrated Ibn `Abbas (R): When the Prophet (ﷺ) arrived at Medina he found that the Jews observed fast on the day of 'Ashura'. They were asked the reason for the fast. They replied, "This is the day when Allah caused Moses and the children of Israel to have victory over Pharaoh, so we fast on this day as a sign of glorifying it." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "We are closer to Moses than you." Then he ordered that fasting on this day should be observed. (Bukhari) http://sunnah.com/bukhari/63/168 2. Abdullah b 'Abbas (R) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had said: "If I live till the next (year), I would definitely observe fast on the 9th [along with the 10th]", and the narration transmitted by Abu Bakr said: "He meant the day of Ashura." (Muslim) http://sunnah.com/muslim/13/173
3. Abu Qatadah (R) narrated that: the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Fast the Day of Ashura, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins of) the year before it." (Tirmidhi) https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/8/71
Note that Saudi Arabia may announce the Muharram hilal on their SPA www.spa.gov.sa website.
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Looking at the past few years of observation data, it appears that (1) it is possible to sight the first day’s Hilal on the UK horizon throughout the year (if a real effort is made), (2) attempting to sight the Hilal on the UK 29th, shows it will more than double the number 29th day’s sightings compared to looking on Morocco 29th (see YouTube Video). [charts] [View Observation Results] [UK Moon Sighting Fatawa]
Note: a lunar calendar is self-correcting and does not accumulate errors. For example, if a 29th-day sighting was missed (eg. 3/3/2022), leading to completing 30-days, then the following month's 30th (eg. 2/4/2022) will become 29th, without affecting the subsequent months!
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Crescent Moon Visibility of Dhul Hijjah 1443 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Dhul Hijjah 1443 shows that the moon will be born on 29 June 2022 at 2:52 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible to the naked-eye anywhere in the UK to Morocco region on that date. However, on 30 June 2022, it will be easily visible in the UK to Morocco region and in most countries of the world. Hence, the month of Dhul Hijjah is most likely to start from 1 July 2022 (so Eid-ul Adha is likely to be on Sunday 10 July 2022), InShaAllah. See also: Significance and Virtues of Dhul Hijjah (first 10 days) | Is Eid-ul Adha Connected with Hajj? | [YouTube]
When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Dhul Hijjah 1443 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Dhul Hijjah 1443 AH on 29 & 30 June 2022 (29th Dhul Qa'dah & the next day) after sunset from the western horizon and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form. [Photo Competition]
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Dhul Hijjah 1443 AH
Announcement for start of Dhul Hijjah 1443 AH
On Wednesday 29th June 2022 (29th Dhul Qa'dah 1443 AH) the Hilal of Dhul Hijjah 1443 was not sighted in the UK to Morocco region. We have also received a negative sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
Therefore, the month of Dhul Qa'dah 1443 AH will complete 30-days and the month of Dhul Hijjah 1443 AH will start from Friday 1st July 2022 (making Day of Arafah fasting on Saturday 9th July 2022 and Eid-ul Adha to be on Sunday 10th July 2022), InShaAllah.
For UK-only moon sighting announcements please visit the New Crescent Society (NCS) website.
Significance of Dhul Hijjah (first 10 days)
1. Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "There are no days during which the righteous action is so pleasing to Allah than these days (i.e., the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah)." He was asked: "O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah, except in case one goes forth with his life and his property and does not return with either of it." (Bukhari, Book 9, Hadith 259)
2. Abu Qatadah (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked about the observance of Saum (fasting) on the day of Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah). He said, "It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year and the current year." (Muslim, Book 9, Hadith 260)
Note that Saudi Arabia normally make official Hilal Sighting announcement for Dhul Hijjah on www.spa.gov.sa website
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Crescent Moon Visibility of Dhul Qa'dah 1443 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Dhul Qa'dah 1443 shows that the moon will be born on 30 May 2022 at 11:30 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK to Morocco region on that date. However, on 31 May 2022 the moon will be easily visible in the UK and in most countries of the world. Hence, the month of Dhul Qa'dah is most likely to start from 1 June 2022, InshaAllah.
When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Dhul Qa'dah 1443 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Dhul Qa'dah 1443 AH on 30 & 31 May 2022 (29th Shawwal & the next day) after sunset from the western horizon and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form. [Photo Competition]
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Dhul Qa'dah 1443 AH
Announcement for start of Dhul Qa'dah 1443 AH
On Monday 30th May 2022 (29th Shawwal 1443 AH), the Hilal of Dhul Qa'dah 1443 was not sighted in the UK to Morocco region. We have also received a negative sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view). Therefore, the month of Shawwal 1443 AH will complete 30-days and the month of Dhul Qa'dah 1443 AH will start from Wednesday 1st June 2022, InShaAllah.
For UK-only moon sighting announcements please visit the New Crescent Society (NCS) website.
Note that Saudi Arabia do not normally make any official Hilal Sighting announcement for Dhul Qa'dah (as they usually follow the Ummul Qura Calendar).
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Crescent Moon Visibility of Shawwal 1443 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Shawwal 1443 shows that the moon will be born on 30 April 2022 at 20:28 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK to Morocco region (or anywhere in the whole world) on that date. However, on 1 May 2022, the moon may not be seen in the UK (by the naked eye) but it is likely to be seen in the West African countries, including Morocco (Dakhla). Hence, the month of Shawwal is most likely to start from 2 May 2022, InShaAllah. Note that there will be a partial lunar eclipse on 30 April 2022 across South America and a total lunar eclipse on 15 - 16 May 2022 across Africa to the Americas.
When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Shawwal 1443 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Shawwal 1443 AH on 1 & 2 May 2022 (29th Ramadan and the next day) after sunset from the western horizon and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form. [Photo Competition]
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Shawwal 1443 AH
Announcement for start of Shawwal 1443 AH
On Sunday 1st May 2022 (29th Ramadan 1443 AH) the Hilal of Shawwal 1443 was not sighted in the UK but it was sighted in the Morocco region. We have also received a positive sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
Advice: As per the agreed ICOUK criteria, the month of Ramadan 1443 AH will have 29-days and the month of Shawwal 1443 AH will start from Monday 2nd May 2022, InShaAllah. Eid Mubarak to all Muslims (and don't forget to share your Hilal photo on the ICOUK website)!
For UK-only moon sighting announcements please visit the New Crescent Society (NCS) website.
Note that Saudi Arabia normally make their Shawwal announcement on their SPA (www.spa.gov.sa) website.