Crescent Moon Visibility of Dhul Qa'dah 1447 AH
Prediction: The crescent visibility map below for Dhul Qa'dah 1447 (RHS) shows that the moon will be born on 17 April 2026 at 11:52 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked eye anywhere in the UK to Morocco region on that date. However, on 18 April 2026, the moon will be easily visible in the UK and most parts of the world. Hence, Dhul Qa'dah is most likely to start on 19 April 2026, InshaAllah.
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When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Dhul Qa'dah 1447 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Dhul Qa'dah 1447 AH on 17 & 18 April 2026 (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] [Announcement]
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Dhul Qa'dah 1447 AH
ICOUK Moon Report
17 Apr 2026
United Kingdom
Birmingham
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Umar Hussain from Birmingham City in the West Midlands County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Blackburn
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Hameed Mamaniat from Blackburn City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Telescope.
Mr Hameed Mamaniat commented: "At just over 7 hours after conjunction with an elongation of 4 degrees, this moon cannot be seen [by any means]. Digital imaging was set up to ensure the equipment continues to function out in the field and to refine alignment procedures. I was able to align with both the sun and Venus. Note that Venus was not visible to the naked eye but easily detected before sunset via digital imaging (CMOS/CCD). Venus is shown for informational purposes only".
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Juned Patel from Blackburn City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Juned Patel commented: "On Friday, 17 April 2026, from Blackburn (The Tank Toposcope), we attempted to observe the crescent moon (Hilal), but it was not sighted. The sky below 2 to 2.5 degrees remained covered by dense clouds after sunset. The moon was not seen with the naked eye. Moon’s Parameters at Sunset: Date: Friday, 17 April 2026; Location: Blackburn, England; Age: 06:54:39 (0.29 days since conjunction); Illumination: 0.19%; Lag Time: 38 minutes; Altitude: +3.99°; Elongation: +4.95°".
Cardiff
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Dr Feras Tuma from Cardiff City in the Wales County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Dewsbury
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Dr Sufyan Dalal from Dewsbury City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Dr Sufyan Dalal commented: "I attended the location approximately 25 mins before sunset, observing the location of sunset, which was very clear. The age of the moon was approximately 8 hour and and the brother with me was aware of the difficulty we'd be facing. Although the sky towards the top end was very clear, the bottom and the region where the moon should've been had clouds, making it very difficult. We looked for the moon until the altitude dropped to 1 degree, 10 mins before moonset. [Submitted on 20/4/2026 - Admin]".
Leeds
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Maulana Yusuf Mota from Leeds City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Maulana Yusuf Mota commented: "Clear skies near sunset point, negative sighting in Leeds".
Leicester
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Azim Mahomed Abdul Karim from Leicester City in the Leicestershire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Llanrug
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Younes Foster from Llanrug City in the Gwynedd County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Younes Foster commented: "Mainly clear sky, but clouds on the lower horizon.".
Slough
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Ashruf Amod from Slough City in the Berkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Faruq Bilbe from Slough 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: "I joined Br Ashruf and his son near Slough today. The sky was partly cloudy, but the clouds were mainly in the west. Any breaks in the cloud were too high to be useful, so I don’t think we would have seen the Hilal even if it was clear (Code A)".
Stockton-on-Tees
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 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 not seen by Telescope or Naked-eye.
Mr Atiq Hussain commented: "The sky was very clear in the direction of sunset. The moon was not sighted".
York (New Earswick)
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York (New Earswick) City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "It was fairly clear in York today (17/4/2026), but the moon was not seen or expected to be seen, either. Other cities also did not see it, even with computerised telescopes with a CCD imaging camera (Moon age: 7 hrs; Alt: 3°; Elong: 5°; Illum: 0.1%). Note that the ICOUK ulama panel decided to begin the last month (Shawwal 1447) with optical aids (binoculars) from multiple Muslims, and some people feared (or had undue concerns) the month might end with 28th days! In reality, it was not possible to be seen even on the 29th day (on 17/4/2026), and the month was completed as 30 days! (See StandstillsQA)".
Guernsey
Northside
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Hafiz Imraan Moolla from Northside City in the Vale County (Guernsey) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Hafiz Imraan Moolla commented: "It was fully overcast, and there was no chance of seeing the moon".
Morocco
Benslimane
Not seen after sunset: On 17 Apr 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 not seen by Naked-eye.
18 Apr 2026
United Kingdom
Birmingham
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Umar Hussain from Birmingham City in the West Midlands County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Umar Hussain commented: "We prayed maghrib jamaat, and literally seconds after, we saw the moon. Our group had 7 adults and a few children. [Submitted on 29/4/2026 - Admin]".
Blackburn
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Hameed Mamaniat from Blackburn City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars and Telescope.
Mr Hameed Mamaniat commented: "The moon was tracked using digital imaging from 4 pm onwards. Easily visible in a 25mm telescope eyepiece, followed by binoculars, and then naked eye after sunset. The objective was to ensure that the moon continued to be tracked on an Az/Alt mount without manual correction when synced to the sun. No manual adjustment was required in the 5 hours of tracking once synced".
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Imdadhussain Patel from Blackburn City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Bolton
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Juned Patel from Bolton City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.
Mr Juned Patel commented: "On Saturday, 18 April 2026, the Waxing Crescent (Hilal) Moon was easily observed from Bolton, UK. At sunset, Illumination: 2.42%; Age: 30h 56m 40s; Lag Time: 2h 14m 14s; Altitude: +15.82°; Elongation: +17.84°. [Submitted on 19/4/2026 - Admin]".
Caernarfon
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Younes Foster from Caernarfon City in the Gwynedd County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Younes Foster commented: "Very clear sky with slow-moving clouds".
Cardiff
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Dr Feras Tuma from Cardiff City in the Wales County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Telescope and Naked-eye.
Dr Feras Tuma commented: "The sky was clear; it was first seen in a telescope, then by the unaided eye. Several brothers and sisters were in attendance".
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Motosir Ali from Cardiff City in the Wales County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.
Mr Motosir Ali commented: "It was easy to spot as it was high in the horizon and with clear skies, Alhamdulillah. [Submitted on 19/4/2026 - Admin]".
Cradley Heath
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Modoris Ali from Cradley Heath City in the West Midlands County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Modoris Ali commented: "After Maghrib prayers at the Mosque, I saw the moon".
Dewsbury
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Maulana Abdullah Ahmed from Dewsbury City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Muhammad Saghir Dar from Dewsbury City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Muhammad Saghir Dar commented: "The crescent moon was easily seen from Scarr End Lane. Photos take using a Nikon P1000 and a Samsung S23 phone cameras. [S23 photos added on 26/4/2026 - Admin]".
Gloucester
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Bilal Huggins from Gloucester City in the Gloucestershire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Bilal Huggins commented: "The moon was easily seen. [Submitted on 30/4/2026 - Admin]".
Huddersfield
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Eng Mudasser Iqbal from Huddersfield City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Eng Mudasser Iqbal commented: "The crescent moon was easily seen. [Submitted on 25/4/2026 - Admin]".
Leeds
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Maulana Yusuf Mota from Leeds City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Maulana Yusuf Mota commented: "I came to my usual spot in Seacroft, Leeds, before sunset, so I saw sunset point. Maghrib was at 20:18, and I sighted the Hilal at 20:29, and then was able to take pictures after that".
London (Tooting)
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Shaykh Suliman Gani from London (Tooting) City in the Greater London County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Shaykh Suliman Gani commented: "On Saturday, 18 April 2026, the crescent moon for the month of Dhul Qa'dah 1447 was sighted easily after Maghrib Salah [following an event] from outside Muzammil Masjid, Gatton Road, Tooting, London. [Submitted on 19/4/2026 by Admin]".
Portsmouth
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Mizanul Amin Babar from Portsmouth City in the Hampshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Mizanul Amin Babar commented: "The sky was clear. Crescent was clearly seen with the naked eye".
Reading
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 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 Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.
Mr Faruq Bilbe commented: "Great conditions - a thick layer of cloud formed just above the horizon as the sun set, but very little, and clearing up where the moon was. I spotted it first with the 15x70 (I’m still getting used to the 25x100), and while I was trying to get some good pictures and find it with the 25x100, a passerby started chatting, and when he knew what I was looking for spotted the crescent by eye about a minute before I could".
Slough
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 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 Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars and Telescope.
Mr Ashruf Amod commented: "I arrived at the site at 7 pm BST. It was very cloudy on the horizon. I saw the moon with the naked eye at 8:55 pm. There was a person walking by, and they said they saw it just after sunset and that it was very thin. I saw it a little while later when the clouds cleared. I saw it with the naked eye, binoculars, and a telescope. [Submitted on 19/4/2026 - Admin]".
Stockton-on-Tees
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Mr Atiq Hussain from Stockton-on-Tees City in the County Durham County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Atiq Hussain commented: "The weather was perfectly clear in Stockton-on-Tees. I and one other person and I both saw the new crescent just a few minutes after sunset by Optical aid and also by the naked eye. Photos taken by phone and also dedicated asto-camera (ASI120MM)".
York (Central)
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York (Central) City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "It was very sunny and clear skies in York today (18/4/2026), although there was a dark patch of clouds on the lower horizon near the sunset point. As the moon was expected to be very high (15° alt), I decided to go to my local mosque to look for the moon, instead of the usual open space. After the Maghrib prayer, I asked someone to look for the moon directly behind the Qiblah (300° Azi), while I was setting up my binoculars and camera on tripods. He was able to spot the moon immediately with the naked eye, Alhamdulillah. I was able to take photos and show many others from the York Mosque. We have received many Hilal photos in our ICOUK Regional Groups, too".
Guernsey
Northside
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 2026, ICOUK member Hafiz Imraan Moolla from Northside City in the Vale County (Guernsey) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Hafiz Imraan Moolla commented: "My son (6) spotted it just as maghrib set in at around 8:10 pm. I saw it with the naked eye as well".
Morocco
Benslimane
Seen after sunset: On 18 Apr 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.
Prof Hassan Talibi commented: "هلال ذي القعدة 1447هـ مع كوكب الزهرة، ألهله الله على الأمة باليمن والإيمان والسلامة والإسلام. لأول أرى الهلال بنظارتي فلما أزلتهما لم أر أره ولأول مرة ألاحظ أن النظر بدأ يتعب/Translation: Hilal Dhu Qadah 1447 AH with the planet of Venus, may Allah bless the nation with Yemen, faith, safety, and Islam. For the first time, I saw the crescent with my glasses. When I took them off, I didn't see it, and for the first time, I noticed that looking is getting tired. [Submitted on 19/4/2026 - Admin]".
Announcement for start of Dhul Qa'dah 1447 AH
On Friday, 17th April 2026 (29th Shawwal 1447 AH), the Hilal of Dhul Qa'dah 1447 was not sighted in the UK (Local), according to the rules of Shariah (even with Optical Aids). Therefore, Shawwal 1447 AH will complete 30 days, and Dhul Qa'dah 1447 AH will start on Sunday, 19th April 2026, InShaAllah. Signed by (Ulama Panel): Maulana Abdullah Ahmed, Maulana Yusuf Mota, Imam Sabri Alabri (& other guest ulama). Witnessed by: Eng. Qamar Uddin, ICOUK (& other Regional Group members) (17/4/2026 21:50 BST).
Morocco (Regional): the month of Dhul Qa'dah 1446 AH will start on Sunday, 19th April 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 for Dhul Qa'dah (as they usually follow the Ummul Qura Calendar).