Latest news with #crescentMoon
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How astronomers spotted Dhul Hijjah moon; why 'every sighting matters'
It felt like traveling back in time to an era when faith and science walked hand in hand under open skies. At a serene, quiet hilltop in Dubai, far from buildings and the sea, scholars, researchers, and astronomers came together. Telescopes pointed toward the setting sun, while a few peered through binoculars in anticipation. The atmosphere was calm yet focused, united by a single purpose — to sight the new crescent Moon of Dhul Hijjah. At the beginning of every Islamic month, a group of experts gathers on a remote hilltop in Dubai to scan the skies. On Tuesday evening, Khaleej Times had exclusive access to this unique team — a mix of astronomers, scholars, and researchers, as they prepared to sight the crescent Moon, marking the start of Dhul Hijjah and the upcoming Eid Al Adha festival. This team is part of Dubai's permanent Moon sighting committee, which meets each month at Jebel Al Nazwa, a location selected for its clear view of the horizon and minimal humidity and haze. As the team arrived before sunset, around 5pm, they began setting up their equipment, from telescopes to astronomy apps and digital compasses. All instruments were aligned and calibrated to detect the very thin crescent Moon expected to appear shortly after sunset. 'We come to Jabel Al Nazwa every month because the conditions are ideal for sighting,' said Tameem Al Tamimi, a member of the Dubai Moon Sighting Committee. 'It's far from city lights and the sea. Humidity near coastal areas reduces visibility. This spot offers a dry, open sky.' According to the experts, the crescent of Dhul Hijjah was expected to stay on the horizon for just 38 minutes after sunset. 'Based on astronomical calculations, the Moon is positioned a few degrees above and to the right of the sun on Tuesday. It's a very slim crescent, just 0.5 percent illuminated, so it can't be seen with the naked eye, but instruments make it possible,' said Mohammed Al Kamali, deputy head of Dubai Moon Sighting Committee. As sunset approached, the team took their positions, scanning the western sky. Some sat on mats in the prayer area, and a few were on camping chairs, while others stood behind telescopes and tripods, carefully adjusting settings. 'There was a high probability of sighting the Moon,' said Tameem. 'But due to haze and low visibility, it was a challenge. That's why we use every tool available during this brief window.' What makes Dubai's Moon sighting practice unique is the composition of its committee. 'It's rare to see a permanent committee with religious scholars, researchers, and astronomers working together,' said Sheikh Mohammed Eyada Al Kubaisi, Grand Mufti at the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD). 'It's a collaboration that ensures both accuracy and unity.' While astronomical data guides predictions, physical confirmation is essential. 'We don't rely on calculations alone,' Sheikh Al Kubaisi said. 'Islam requires visual confirmation, which is why fieldwork like this is so important.' After offering the Maghrib prayer at the hilltop, the team resumed their observation. Everyone stayed focused, even if the crescent might not appear. 'Sometimes we see the Moon, sometimes we don't,' said Al Kamali. 'The important part is trying, with sincerity and precision. Every sighting matters.' The position of Saudi Arabia also influences the crescent's visibility, according to researchers and astronomers. 'Saudi Arabia is west of the UAE, so it has a slightly better chance of sighting the Moon,' said Al Kamali. 'As the sun sets further west, the crescent's visibility improves, even places like the US and Canada can see it with the naked eye under clear skies. But here in Dubai, we often succeed too, especially in good conditions.' For most, Eid announcements come through social media or news updates. Few realise the hours of preparation and coordination that go into confirming the sighting. 'We are out here for three to four hours, completely focused on confirming the Moon,' said Tameem. 'If we don't sight it in the available window, we consult other groups across the region.' As the observation came to an end, water and dates were passed around, a simple but heartfelt Emirati tradition. It's a gesture to quench the thirst and ease the fatigue after hours of patient effort under the open sky.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Look: Dhul Hijjah Moon spotted in UAE from observatory in Abu Dhabi
As different countries from around the world announced spotting the Dhul Hijjah crescent to mark the start of Eid Al Adha, the UAE Astronomy Centre posted images of the Moon photographed in Abu Dhabi. The Astronomy Centre posted images of the Moon as photographed from the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory in the UAE capital at 7.05pm. The Centre said that the first image was captured at 11am and the moon's angular distance from the sun was 5.5 degrees. The second image was captured at 3.15pm with the moon's angular distance from the sun being 6.5 degrees. The third image was captured after sunset at 7.05pm and the moon's angular distance from the sun was 7.6 degrees. The Centre did note that the images were results of a scientific report and clarified that the decision to officially declare the start of the month remains with authorities. The Al-Khatim Astronomical Observatory consisted of Osama Ghanem, Anas Mohammed and Khalfan Al Naimi. The UAE's Presidential Court later announced the official sighting of the crescent Moon, marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah. Following the crescent sighting, the first day of Dhul Hijjah will begin on Wednesday, May 28, and Eid Al Adha celebrations will start from Friday, July 6.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Kuwait prepares for crescent Moon sighting, unveils likely Eid Al Adha date
Kuwaiti authorities will sight the Dhul Hijjah crescent Moon after sunset on Tuesday, as Muslims worldwide prepare for announcements that will determine when will Eid Al Adha be marked this year. The Kuwait Joint Committee for Crescent Sighting, which is a group of volunteers specialising in the observation of crescents and Islamic timings in the country, announced that it will gather to spot the crescent Moon after 6.40pm local time. The event will take place on Sheikh Jaber bridge in the Northern Island, the committee which operates in parallel with the official Sharia Moon-Sighting Committee in the Gulf country clarified. Likely Eid dates The committee said the spotting the crescent Moon today will not likely be possible in Kuwait. In a statement, it added: "The crescent Moon will be born on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 6.02am local time. It will remain visible for 43 minutes after sunset, but sighting it will be difficult." "On the following night, the crescent will remain for 111 minutes, and it will be visible to the naked eye." This means that Thursday, May 29 will be the first day of the Hijri month of Dhul Hijjah, Eid will be celebrated starting Saturday, June 7 and the Day of Arafat will fall on June 6. This prediction differs from what astronomers in the UAE said as the International Astronomical Centre (IAC) predicted that the crescent Moon will be spotted today. Islam follows a lunar calendar composed of 12 months based on the moon's cycle where each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. Click here to know more about the process of crescent Moon sighting in Muslim countries.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Why Oman may get an extra day off for Eid Al Adha this year?
Muslims worldwide are gearing up for the crescent Moon sighting after sunset on Tuesday, with all eyes on celebrating Eid Al Adha and the upcoming holiday. In Oman, residents were urged by authorities to look out for the crescent and report to field teams in their respective governorates if they spotted it or directly contact moonsighting sub-committees. Like official sighting committees in other Muslim countries, the Omani committee is set to meet today for the event. While many Muslims will mostly get a four-day-holiday for Eid, as a result of combining Day of Arafat and the feast's three days, Oman's residents have a chance of getting a longer break. Why an extra day off? An Omani royal decree was issued by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in 2022 to amend public holidays in the Sultanate. The amendment states that Eid Al Adha holiday in the country will be from Dhul Hijjah 9 to Dul Hijjah 12, resulting in a 4-day-long break in the Sultanate. However, if the first day of Eid falls on a Friday, it will be compensated. This means that if the upcoming Eid starts on Friday, June 6, residents are entitled to a five-day break. Although this will never be known for sure until the sighting committee announces the result after sunset, some astronomers predicted that Wednesday, May 28 will mark the beginning of Dhul Hijjah hence Eid will start on Friday, June 6. The UAE's International Astronomical Centre (IAC) issued a similar prediction on Sunday.
Khaleej Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
6-day Eid Al Adha holiday announced by Saudi Exchange
Just over 24 hours remain until eyes turn to the night sky on Tuesday, May 27, as Muslims worldwide prepare to sight the crescent Moon — a key event in determining the date of Eid Al-Adha this year. Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is a significant occasion for Muslims, closely tied to the Hajj season — a time when hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of pilgrims gather at the holy sites in Makkah to perform this sacred journey. On Sunday, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called upon all Muslims across the Kingdom to observe the sky for the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah on the evening of Tuesday, 29 Dhu al-Qadah 1446 AH, corresponding to May 27, 2025, according to the Islamic calendar. Although no official dates have been announced yet for the upcoming holiday in the Kingdom, Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) has unveiled its Eid Al Adha holiday. "Trading will end at the close of the trading day on 8 Dhul Hijjah 1446AH, corresponding to June 4. Trading will resume after the holiday on 15 Dhul Hijjah 1446AH, corresponding to June 11" it said. This means that trading will pause for six days. If the crescent Moon is not sighted on Tuesday, then Thursday, May 29, will be Dhul Hijjah 1. This means Eid would fall on Saturday, June 7. If it is sighted, then Wednesday will usher the new Hijri year and Eid will fall on Friday, June 6.
