Crescent Moon Visibility of Muharram 1448 AH
Prediction: The crescent visibility map below for Muharram 1448 (RHS) shows that the moon will be born on 15 June 2026 at 02:54 GMT/UT,ย and it may be visible to theย naked eye (after finding it with Optical Aids) in the UK to the Morocco region on that date (weather permitting). However, on 16 June 2026, the moon may be easily visible in the UK and worldwide. Hence, Muharramย is most likely to start on 16 and/or 17 June 2026, InShaAllah.
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When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Muharram 1448 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Muharram 1448 AH on 15 & 16 June 2026 (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] [Announcement]
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Muharram 1448 AH
ICOUK Moon Report
15 Jun 2026
United Kingdom
Blackburn
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Mr Imdadhussain Patel from Blackburn City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Bolton
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 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.
Mr Muhammad Arshad Dar commented: "Today I travelled to Macclesfield and Buxton to see the crescent, but the sky was completely covered by thick clouds. Negative sighting from Manchester and Bolton".
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Mr Juned Patel from Bolton City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Juned Patel commented: "๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ญ๐จ๐ง, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐, ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฆ๐จ๐จ๐ง (๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฅ), ๐๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฐ๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐๐. A challenging moon sighting such as this always brings excitement. However, the entire UK was blanketed under cloud cover. By late afternoon, I could not resist attempting and traveled about an hour south in search of clearer skies. After stopping at a few locations, I decided to return home to Bolton, as the widespread cloud cover made further travel and waiting seem unlikely to give any success. [Submitted on 16/6/2026 - Admin]".
Cambridge
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Mr Hameed Mamaniat from Cambridge City in the Cambridgeshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Hameed Mamaniat commented: "Negative sighting from Cambridge".
Cheltenham (Shurdington)
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Mr Atiq Hussain from Cheltenham (Shurdington) City in the Gloucestershire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Telescope.
Mr Atiq Hussain commented: "I tried to sight the moon from the Cotswolds area (near Cheltenham & Gloucester). The weather was mostly cloudy with a few small breaks in the clouds in some places (NW direction). The sun appeared clearly for several minutes before sunset. However, the crescent was not seen. A combination of cloud cover and atmospheric haze was very challenging. [Submitted on 16/6/2026 - Admin]".
Croydon (Purley)
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Mr Assim Khokhar from Croydon (Purley) City in the Greater London County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Assim Khokhar commented: "Not seen due to cloud cover ".
Glasgow (Clydebank)
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Hafiz Mohammed Khobaib Mahmood from Glasgow (Clydebank) City in the Scotland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Huddersfield
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Eng Mudasser Iqbal from Huddersfield City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Eng Mudasser Iqbal commented: "The low stratus clouds were covering the entire sky. At 21:08 BST, a picture from the Stellarium App is shown. The sunset was not observable, neither was there any noticeable sky colour changes due to civil twilight post sunset. [Submitted on 16/6/2026 - Admin]".
Leeds
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 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: "The full western horizon was densely cloudy so Hilal was not seen".
Leicester
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Mr Irfan Momin 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.
London (Mitcham)
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 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 not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Mr Jaasir Ali commented: "Overcast with a few gaps in the clouds, but the moon was behind the clouds".
Manchester
Not seen before sunset: On 15 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Mr Aamer Amin from Manchester City in the Greater Manchester County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Aamer Amin commented: "It is fully cloudy, so the moon was not sighted".
Reading
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Mr Faruq Bilbe from Reading City in the Berkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Mr Faruq Bilbe commented: "At first, I started looking at the Al Masjid Centre, where we have had success recently. However, as the โbest timeโ approached, I realised that I was beginning to have trouble with the houses getting in the way. I decided to move to Fobney Meadows, which was just a few minutes away, to continue searching. Unfortunately, to no avail".
Slough
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 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.
Mr Ashruf Amod commented: "I arrived at the site at 8.45 pm and set up. It was very cloudy with small gaps in the clouds. We could not sight the moon with the naked eye or binoculars. My son, Ziyad Amod, was with us, and we were then met by another brother, Wirzil".
York (New Earswick)
Not seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York (New Earswick) City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "It was totally cloudy in York today (15/6/2026), so the moon was not seen. The Sunset or the bright star (Venus) was not seen, either. The UK weather forecast showed most of the UK was cloudy, so there were no other reported sightings to date at the time of this report. One of the images is a screenshot from the SkyView App with the moon and planets overlaid on the real horizon (AR)".
France
Chambon sur lac
Seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Maulana AbdulMalik Guillon from Chambon sur lac City in the Puy de dรดme County (France) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Binoculars.
Maulana AbdulMalik Guillon commented: "We were at an altitude of 1,620 meters. The sky was clear except for a band of clouds covering the horizon at an altitude of approximately 1-2 degrees. When we saw it, the crescent was located just above the sunset point, at an azimuth of 307ยฐ and an altitude of 2-3ยฐ. There were four official observers from Hilal France present, and we were able to see the lunar crescent very distinctly starting at 10:17 pm CET [GMT+2]. I was the first to sight it, followed by two other brothers. Therefore, three of us formally observed it without any possible doubt through binoculars [20x80] before the crescent passed behind the cloud band on the horizon. I therefore testify to this observation. Two other official observers based in the Drรดme region also testified to having observed it. This brings the total to five observers for Hilal France. Taking a Hilal photograph was not possible. [Submitted on 16/6/2026 (Code C) - Admin]".
Morocco
Benslimane
Seen after sunset: On 15 Jun 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 Binoculars.
Prof Hassan Talibi commented: "ุฑุงูุจุชู ุจุงูุนูู ููู ุฃุฑุตุฏู ูููู ุฑุฃูุชู ุจุงุณุชุนู ุงู ุงูู ูุธุงุฑ ุงูุฒูุฌู ููุงู ุฑููุนุง ุฌุฏุง. /Translation: I tried to watch it [Hilal] with the naked eye but couldn't spot it, but I saw it using binoculars, and it was very thin. [Submitted on 16/6/2026 - Admin]".
16 Jun 2026
United Kingdom
Reading
Not seen after sunset: On 16 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Mr Faruq Bilbe from Reading City in the Berkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Mr Faruq Bilbe commented: "The height and direction of the moon tonight would have been visible from just up the road from home. There appeared to be some gaps opening up in the cloud cover in the right direction shortly after sunset, but as soon as Iโd prayed and got set up the gaps had moved off to the north. ".
York (New Earswick)
Not seen after sunset: On 16 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York (New Earswick) City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "It was totally cloudy again today (16/6/2026), so an earnest attempt was made incase of a cloud break, but to no avail. The moon was not seen due to heavy clouds. We're aware of clear patches in London and Eastern (Ipswich/Norwich areas), but no one has reportorted a positive sighting at the time of this report (23 hrs)".
Morocco
Benslimane
Seen after sunset: On 16 Jun 2026, ICOUK member Prof Hassan Talibi from Benslimane City in the Casablanca-Settat County (Morocco) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Announcement for start of Muharram 1448 AH
On Monday, 15th June 2025 (29th Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH), the Hilal of Muharram 1448 AH was not sighted in the UK (Local), according to the rules of Shariah (even with Optical Aids). Therefore, Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH will complete 30 days, and Muharram 1448 AH will start on Wednesday, 17th June 2025 (making Ashura fall on Friday, 25th June 2025), InShaAllah. Signed by (Ulama Panel): Maulana Yusuf Mota, Mufti Abdul Waheed, Imam MirAzam Khan, Imam Bilal Banda (& other guest ulama). Witnessed by: Eng. Qamar Uddin, ICOUK (15/6/2026 22:50 BST). [See: ICOUK Optical Aids Policy for UK Moon Sightings]
Morocco (Regional): Muharram 1448 AH will start on Wednesday, 17th June 2025, InShaAllah. See the report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
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.
Significance of Ashura (10 Muharram) 1. Narrated Ibn `Abbas (R): When the Prophet (๏ทบ) 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 (๏ทบ) 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 (๏ทบ) 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 (๏ทบ) 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.