Crescent Moon Visibility of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH
Prediction: The crescent visibility map below for Dhul Hijjah 1447 (RHS) shows that the moon will be born on 16 May 2026 at 20:01 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible to the naked eye anywhere in the UK to Morocco region on that date. However, on 17 May 2026, it will be easily visible in the UK and most parts of the world. Hence, Dhul Hijjah1447 is most likely to start on 18 May 2026 (so Eid-ul Adha is likely to be on Wednesday, 27 May 2026), InShaAllah. See also: Significance and Virtues of Dhul Hijjah (first 10 days) | Is Eid-ul Adha Connected with Hajj? | [YouTube]
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When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH on 17 & 18 May 2026 (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] [Announcement]
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH
ICOUK Moon Report
17 May 2026
United Kingdom
Bolton
Not seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Muhammad Arshad Dar from Bolton City in the Greater Manchester County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Mr Muhammad Arshad Dar commented: "There were 10 brothers gathered at Rivington site to sight the crescent for the month of Dhul Hajj, but the western horizon was completely covered with dark and thick clouds. It's a negative sighting from Bolton".
Cardiff
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Motosir Ali from Cardiff City in the Wales County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Dr Feras Tuma from Cardiff City in the Wales County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Dr Feras Tuma commented: "I was with a group of five others. We could see it clearly with the unaided eye. [Submitted on 18/5/2026 - Admin]".
Croydon (Purley)
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Assim Khokhar from Croydon (Purley) City in the Greater London County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Assim Khokhar commented: "A group of us easily saw the moon from Riddles Down Common (Croydon). There were 6 of us, including Shaykh Suliman Gani".
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Shaykh Suliman Gani from Croydon (Purley) City in the Greater London County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.
Shaykh Suliman Gani commented: "I, Suliman Gani, sighted the crescent moon with binoculars easily first, and then it was sighted with my naked eye. Br Baber Siddiqi, who joined us later, also sighted the crescent moon with the naked eye. There were 6 of us who sighted the moon, 2 of whom are females".
Dewsbury
Not seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Dr Najeeb Chaudhry 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 Najeeb Chaudhry commented: "The moon was not sighted due to a partly cloudy sky".
Edinburgh
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Zahid Ali from Edinburgh City in the Scotland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Glasgow (Clydebank)
Not seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Hafiz Mohammed Khobaib Mahmood from Glasgow (Clydebank) City in the Scotland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Hafiz Mohammed Khobaib Mahmood commented: "It was cloudy in Glasgow (Clydebank), so the moon was not seen, despite our best efforts by a group of us ".
Gloucester
Not seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Bilal Huggins from Gloucester City in the Gloucestershire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Mr Bilal Huggins commented: "Largely cloudy, however, the clouds were opening up towards 9:20 - 9:50 pm BST around the moon location. But I was still not able to see the new moon ".
Huddersfield
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Eng Mudasser Iqbal from Huddersfield City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Eng Mudasser Iqbal commented: "I prayed Maghrib at home, as it was very cloudy. I then went to Castle Hill (elevated 892 feet above sea level) and was able to see the moon just above a bank of dark clouds. The crescent moon photo was taken with an iPhone attached to a binocular (12x80) eyepiece".
Ingelby Barwick
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 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
Not seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Maulana Yusuf Mota from Leeds City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Maulana Yusuf Mota commented: "I missed the sunset point, but was using the Ephemeris App to track the Hilal. It was far too cloudy in Leeds, and so it was not sighted here".
Leicester
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Irfan Momin from Leicester City in the Leicestershire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.
Mr Irfan Momin commented: "It was partly cloudy, but Alhamdulillah, I saw the moon with binoculars, then the 9 other brothers and I saw it with our naked eyes.".
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Azim Mahomed Abdul Karim from Leicester City in the Leicestershire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.
London (Barking)
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Imam Sabri Alabri from London (Barking) City in the Greater London County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.
Imam Sabri Alabri commented: "A group of us easily saw the moon after sunset from Barking Mosque. [Submitted on 18/5/2026 - Admin]".
London (Hackney)
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Abubaker Sayed from London (Hackney) City in the Greater London County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Abubaker Sayed commented: "The crescent moon was witnessed by Hafiz Asad Mulla and Abubaker Sayed. [Submitted on 20/5/2026 - Admin]".
London (Mitcham)
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Jaasir Ali from London (Mitcham) City in the Greater London County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Jaasir Ali commented: "I was with 3 other brothers at the time, the brother Nasir joined us 15 minutes later, and he also sighted the moon. We saw it for around 15 - 20 mins".
Loughborough
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Riyaz Bhikha from Loughborough City in the Leicestershire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Riyaz Bhikha commented: "The moon was seen by 3 brothers (naked eye) for 10 minutes+".
Manchester
Not seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Aamer Amin from Manchester City in the Greater Manchester County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Aamer Amin commented: "The crescent moon was not sighted with the naked eye due to cloudy weather at the time. [Submitted on 18/5/2026 - Admin]".
Manchester (Longsight)
Not seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Aamir Din from Manchester (Longsight) City in the Greater Manchester County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Portsmouth
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Mizanul Amin Babar from Portsmouth City in the Hampshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Mizanul Amin Babar commented: "There were low-hanging clouds above the horizon. The crescent moon was clearly seen with the naked eye, just above the clouds".
Reading
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 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: "Alhamdulillah, we had about a dozen people actively looking for the moon and another dozen or so taking an interest on their way to and from Maghrib. Two brothers saw the Hilal with binoculars from the roof first, and sometimes later, I managed to find it from the ground and showed another 3 brothers before we lost it behind the clouds again. Eventually, at 10:00 pm BST, I found it again, and all 4 of us still there could see it with the naked eye".
Slough
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 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 had set up at around 8:50 pm BST. I was able to see the crescent at 9.07 pm with a telescope. I called Br Ali Akbar to come and join as soon as he could. He arrived, and I was able to see the crescent with his naked eye. We took a video and shared it on the ICOUK WhatsApp group".
Southampton (Bassett)
Not seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Iqbal Sharif from Southampton (Bassett) City in the Hampshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Stockton-on-Tees
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 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 Naked-eye and Telescope.
Mr Atiq Hussain commented: "Brother Sajad Din and I (ICOUK members) both travelled to Hartlepool and saw the moon with the naked eye at 21.54 BST. The sky was mostly cloudy, but we waited, and a small gap eventually appeared in the clouds as the moon was around 6 degrees above the horizon. We left other members of our Masjid's team to sight the moon from Stockton (our regular moon sighting spot). Alhamdolillah, the other team also sighted the moon around 21:30 BST from a small break in the clouds. There were 8 adults present in Stockton who all witnessed the moon with the naked eye, including our imam ".
York (New Earswick)
Not seen after sunset: On 17 May 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 not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "It was partly cloudy in York today (17/5/2026), and the Venus star was clearly seen after sunset at 21:07 BST, but it became totally cloudy soon after sunset, so the moon was not seen. Fortunately, other parts of the UK had cloud breaks, so the moon was sighted in many places in large groups, Alhamdulillah".
Guernsey
L'Ancresse
Not seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Hafiz Imraan Moolla from L'Ancresse 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: "I came out alone to the west coast of Guernsey. Unfortunately, the western horizon was completely cloudy, even though up above or to the east, there were patches opening up. Observed from sunset, which was around 20:50 BST, up until 21:30 BST, with no signs of any openings coming up, so I abandoned any further attempt".
Morocco
Benslimane
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 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: "فاتح ذي الحجة غدا الاثنين [١٨-٠٥-٢٠٢٦] ان شاء الله. أهله الله علينا و على الامة الإسلامية باليمن و الإيمان و السلامة و الإسلام و النصر و الفتح المبين قريبا يا رب / Translation: The first of Dhul-Hijjah is tomorrow, Monday (18/5/2026), InshaAllah. May Allah grant us and the Muslim Ummah blessings, faith, peace, Islam, victory, and a clear triumph soon, O Lord. [Updated on 20/5/2026 - Admin]".
Tangier
Seen after sunset: On 17 May 2026, ICOUK member Mr Hatim El-Harrak from Tangier City in the Tangier-Tetouan Al-Hoceima County (Morocco) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
18 May 2026
United Kingdom
Leeds
Seen after sunset: On 18 May 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: "Clearly visible today even through heavy cloud. Sighted Venus close by too".
Stockton-on-Tees
Seen after sunset: On 18 May 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: "Moon sighted from Stockton on Tees. 18 May 2026".
York (New Earswick)
Seen after sunset: On 18 May 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: "I was unable to see the crescent moon yesterday as it was totally cloudy and hazy on the lower horizon. So today (28/5/2026) I went to my usual location and was able to see it clearly between clouds at very high altitude, as seen from the photos".
Announcement for Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH
On Sunday, 17th May 2026 (29th Dhul Qa'dah 1447), the Hilal of Dhul Hijjah 1447 was sighted in the British Isles (UK), according to the rules of Shariah. Therefore, Dhul Qa'dah 1447 AH will have 29 days, and Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH will start on Monday, 18th May 2026 (making Eid-ul Adha on Wednesday, 27 May 2026), InShaAllah. Signed by (Ulama Panel): Maulana Abdullah Ahmed, Maulana Yusuf Mota, Imam Sabri Alabri, Mufti Abdul Waheed, Imam Hasan Muhammad, Imam Bilal Banda (& other ulama). Witnessed by: Ali Akbar/Ashruf Amod (Slough), Asim Khokar (Tooting), Mudasser Iqbal (Huddersfield), Feras Tuma (Cardiff), Atiq Hussain (Stockton-on-Tees), Faruq Bilbe (Reading), Qamar Uddin, ICOUK (& others) (17/5/2026 23:00 BST).
Morocco (Regional): the month of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH will start on Monday, 18th May 2026, InShaAllah. See the report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
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