Crescent Moon Visibility of Shaban 1447 AH
Prediction: The crescent visibility map below for Shaban 1447 (RHS) shows that the moon will be born on 18 January 2026 at 19:52 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked eye anywhere in the UK to Morocco region on that date or the next day. However, on 20 January 2026, the moon may be visible in the UK and most of the world. Hence, Shaban is most likely to start on 21 January 2026 in the UK and Morocco, InShaAllah.
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When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Shaban 1447 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Shaban 1447 AH on 20 & 21 January 2026 (29th Rajab 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] [Announcement] See Also: Significance and Virtues of Shaban
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Shaban 1447 AH
ICOUK Moon Report
20 Jan 2026
United Kingdom
Blackburn
Seen after sunset: On 20 Jan 2026, ICOUK member Mr Mohammad Quraishi from Blackburn City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Mohammad Quraishi commented: "After being unable to sight the crescent due to cloudy weather, it was also windy allowing clouds to pass after giving up on two initial locations which tonight were Jackson Heights Road and Haslingden Road (Guide Village). I eventually sighted the new crescent clearly from King Street, Blackburn on the drive home while waiting in traffic. Alhamdulillah".
Blackburn (Mellor)
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Jan 2026, ICOUK member Mr Hameed Mamaniat from Blackburn (Mellor) City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Telescope.
Mr Hameed Mamaniat commented: "I was unable to sight the moon at the usual location at Mellor (Blackburn) due to significant cloud cover (image 1). There were some breaks in the clouds, but due to late arrival at the site, that opportunity was missed. On a positive note, I was able to image the moon in infrared wavelength through thin clouds from Bolton this afternoon at 2 pm using a GT71 telescope and ASI533MM camera equipped with an IR720nm (image 2). The moon could not be seen at that time via the telescope eyepiece due to the clouds".
Cradley Heath
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Jan 2026, ICOUK member Mr Modoris Ali from Cradley Heath City in the West Midlands County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Rainy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Modoris Ali commented: "I was unable to see the moon and was waiting for any news from other parts of the country, if the moon has been seen".
Hunstonton
Seen after sunset: On 20 Jan 2026, ICOUK member Mr Juned Patel from Hunstonton City in the Norfolk County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Juned Patel commented: "I did see the moon this evening (but not the evening before). [Submitted on 21/1/2026 - Admin]".
Ingelby Barwick
Seen after sunset: On 20 Jan 2026, ICOUK member Ms Amanda Khalid from Ingelby Barwick City in the Teesside County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Leeds
Seen after sunset: On 20 Jan 2026, ICOUK member Maulana Yusuf Mota from Leeds City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Maulana Yusuf Mota commented: "I was alone, and popped out after work. I managed to sight the Hilal of Shawwal 1447 between the clouds at 16:55 GMT, but was unable to capture it on camera".
Reading
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Jan 2026, ICOUK member Mr Faruq Bilbe from Reading City in the Berkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Mr Faruq Bilbe commented: "There was a lot of fast-moving clouds, with breaks, but a fairly solid block at lower levels prevented sighting the sunset and prevailed until the moon set".
Slough
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Jan 2026, ICOUK member Mr Ashruf Amod from Slough City in the Berkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Ashruf Amod commented: "I managed to get to the site before moonset. The horizon was densely covered with clouds, therefore, a negative sighting for Slough".
Stockton-on-Tees
Seen after sunset: On 20 Jan 2026, ICOUK member Mr Atiq Hussain from Stockton-on-Tees City in the County Durham County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Binoculars.
Mr Atiq Hussain commented: "Seen via binoculars at 16:35 GMT".
York (New Earswick)
Seen after sunset: On 20 Jan 2026, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York (New Earswick) City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "It was partly cloudy in York today (20/1/2026), but the sunset was clearly seen as a reference point to look for the moon. The moon was first spotted by the naked eye at about 4:45 pm GMT, and then it went behind the moving clouds and reappeared several times (Alhamdulillah). I managed to take a few photos quickly before it went behind a thick bank of dark clouds by 5 pm. The York sunset was at 4:22 pm, so it was seen about 20 mins after sunset. This was the UK's 29th (Rajab 1447) and first day's moon of Shaban 1447, as it was not seen yesterday after sunset by any means (as far as we know)".
Guernsey
Vale
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Jan 2026, ICOUK member Hafiz Imraan Moolla from Vale City in the Vale County (Guernsey) mentioned that the sky was Rainy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Hafiz Imraan Moolla commented: "Completely cloudy with no breaks in the cloud. Observed from maghrib until about 17:15 GMT".
Morocco
Benslimane
Seen after sunset: On 20 Jan 2026, ICOUK member Prof Hassan Talibi from Benslimane City in the Casablanca-Settat County (Morocco) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Announcement for start of Shaban 1447 AH
On Tuesday, 20th January 2026 (29th Rajab 1447 AH) the Hilal of Shaban 1447 was sighted in the UK (Local) according to the rules of Shariah. Therefore, Rajab 1447 AH will have 29 days and Shaban 1447 AH will start on Wednesday, 21st January 2026 (making 15 Shaban 1447 fall on the night of 3rd February 2026), InShaAllah. Signed by (Ulama Panel): Maulana Abdullah Ahmed, Maulana Yusuf Mota, Imam Sabri Alabri, Mufti Abdul Waheed. Witnessed by: Eng. Qamar Uddin, ICOUK (20/01/2026 19:50 GMT).
Morocco (Regional): Shaban 1447 AH will start on Wednesday, 21st January 2026, InShaAllah. See the report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
Note that Saudi Arabia do not normally make any official Hilal Sighting announcement from Safar to Shaban (as they usually follow the Ummul Qura Calendar in these months).