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The Crescent Moon (Hilal) observation process comprise of a number of stages, as explained below:
Stage 1: On the 29th day of each lunar month, people go out to look for the Hilal from a good location, which is away from inner-city light pollutions and high enough to see the sunset position down to the horizon/sea level. See “First day's moon on UK horizon” for more details.
Stage 2: The result of the Hilal observation (positive or negative) is then submitted to the ICOUK website with all the necessary details. To save precious time, it is highly recommended to complete the Membership Registration beforehand and then send the Observation Report on the day. Registered members will also receive regular reminders by email when to look for the Hilal.
Stage 3: Once the observation report has been successfully submitted on the ICOUK website, it will be automatically forwarded to (a) the ICOUK Moderator and (b) the local Hilal Committee (or a representative). From this point, the report is dealt with separately and independently, as explained in the next stage.
Stage 4: This is the final stage where the verified and moderated reports are published/announced as explained below:
- The Moderator will check the technical accuracy of the report (e.g. after conjunction and before moon set) and if found satisfactory, will publish it on the ICOUK website, under the relevant lunar month of the Observation Results page.
- The local Hilal Committee (or a representative) will verify the report for Shariah purposes (e.g. adult, good character etc) and pass it on to the Central Hilal Committee, who will make a final decision and announce the start date of the lunar month. The decision may be announced via the Hilal Committee website and/or Masjid Committees as well as the ICOUK website.
It is possible that an observation report is accepted by the ICOUK Moderator, but may not be sufficient for the Hilal Committees to base their decision on it (e.g. not enough sighting reports in clear-sky condition). It is also possible that the ICOUK Moderator may reject a local report, but the Hilal Committee make an announcement based on foreign news (e.g. Morocco). The above procedures are shown in the processes diagram below, which have to be completed within 1.5 - 2.0 hrs of UK sunset times (i.e. before Isha prayers).
The ICOUK website will publish both the observation reports and the decision of the UK Ulama (Hilal Committees) on the relevant page for the UK Muslims to make an informed decision regarding the start of the Hijri lunar months for Ibadah purposes. See “View Observation Results” for more details.
Checked by: Mufti Amjad Mohammed
If you have any comments or questions (or wish to nominate a local Hilal Committee for verifying observation reports), please do not hesitate to email us via our on-line Contact Us form.
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The table below shows the observation report for each Hijri year/month, which usually overlaps across two Gregorian years/months, but for brevity only the start year/month is shown. Website-submitted reports are listed below, but historical records have existed since 1430/2008.
| 1448 2026 |
Muharram Jun |
Safar Jul |
Rabi-I Aug |
Rabi-II Sep |
Jumada-I Oct |
Jumada-II Nov |
Rajab Dec |
Shaban Jan-27 |
Ramadan Feb |
Shawwal Mar |
D.Qa'dah Apr |
D.Hijjah May |
| 1447 2025 |
Muharram Jun ✓ |
Safar Jul ✓ |
Rabi-I Aug ✓ |
Rabi-II Sep ✓ |
Jumada-I Oct ✓ |
Jumada-II Nov ✓ |
Rajab Dec ✓ |
Shaban Jan-26 ✓ |
Ramadan Feb ✓ |
Shawwal Mar ✓ |
D.Qa'dah Apr |
D.Hijjah May |
| 1446 2024 |
Muharram Jul ✓ |
Safar Aug ✓ |
Rabi-I Sep ✕ |
Rabi-II Oct ✕* |
Jumada-I Nov ✕ |
Jumada-II Dec ✓ |
Rajab Jan-25 ✓ |
Shaban Jan ✓ |
Ramadan Feb ✓ |
Shawwal Mar ✓ |
D.Qa'dah Apr ✓ |
D.Hijjah May ✓ |
| 1445 2023 |
Muharram Jul ✓ |
Safar Aug ✓ |
Rabi-I Sep ✕* |
Rabi-II Oct ✕* |
Jumada-I Nov ✓ |
Jumada-II Dec ✓ |
Rajab Jan-24 ✓ |
Shaban Feb ✓ |
Ramadan Mar ✓ |
Shawwal Apr ✓ |
D.Qa'dah May ✓ |
D.Hijjah Jun ✓ |
| 1444 2022 |
Muharram Jul ✓ |
Safar Aug ✓ |
Rabi-I Sep ✓ |
Rabi-II Oct ✕ |
Jumada-I Nov ✓ |
Jumada-II Dec ✓ |
Rajab Jan-23 ✓ |
Shaban Feb ✓ |
Ramadan Mar ✓ |
Shawwal Apr ✓ |
D.Qa'dah May ✓ |
D.Hijjah Jun ✓ |
| 1443 2021 |
Muharram Aug ✓ |
Safar Sep ✓ |
Rabi-I Oct ✓ |
Rabi-II Nov ✕ |
Jumada-I Dec ✓ |
Jumada-II Jan-22 ✓ |
Rajab Feb ✓ |
Shaban Mar ✕ |
Ramadan Apr ✓ |
Shawwal May ✓ |
D.Qa'dah Jun ✓ |
D.Hijjah Jul ✓ |
| 1442 2020 |
Muharram Aug ✓ |
Safar Sep ✓ |
Rabi-I Oct ✓ |
Rabi-II Nov ✕ |
Jumada-I Dec ✓ |
Jumada-II Jan-21 ✓ |
Rajab Feb ✕ |
Shaban Mar ✓ |
Ramadan Apr ✓ |
Shawwal May ✓ |
D.Qa'dah Jun ✓ |
D.Hijjah Jul ✓ |
| 1441 2019 |
Muharram Sep ✓ |
Safar Sep ✓ |
Rabi-I Oct ✓ |
Rabi-II Nov ✓ |
Jumada-I Dec ✕ |
Jumada-II Jan-20 ✓ |
Rajab Feb ✓ |
Shaban Mar ✓ |
Ramadan Apr ✓ |
Shawwal May ✓ |
D.Qa'dah Jun ✓ |
D.Hijjah Jul ✓ |
| 1440 2018 |
Muharram Sep ✓ |
Safar Oct ✓ |
Rabi-I Nov ✕ |
Rabi-II Dec ✕ |
Jumada-I Jan-19 ✕ |
Jumada-II Feb ✓ |
Rajab Mar ✕ |
Shaban Apr ✓ |
Ramadan May ✓ |
Shawwal Jun ✓ |
D.Qa'dah Jul ✓ |
D.Hijjah Aug ✓ |
| 1439 2017 |
Muharram Sep ✓ |
Safar Oct ✕ |
Rabi-I Nov ✓ |
Rabi-II Dec ✓ |
Jumada-I Jan-18 ✓ |
Jumada-II Feb ✓ |
Rajab Mar ✕ |
Shaban Apr ✓ |
Ramadan May ✓ |
Shawwal Jun ✓ |
D.Qa'dah Jul ✓ |
D.Hijjah Aug ✓ |
| 1438 2016 |
Muharram Oct |
Safar Oct |
Rabi-I Nov |
Rabi-II Dec |
Jumada-I Jan-17 |
Jumada-II Feb |
Rajab Mar |
Shaban Apr |
Ramadan May |
Shawwal Jun |
D.Qa'dah Jul |
D.Hijjah Aug |
| 1437 2015 |
Muharram Oct |
Safar Nov |
Rabi-I Dec |
Rabi-II Jan-16 |
Jumada-I Feb |
Jumada-II Mar |
Rajab Apr |
Shaban May |
Ramadan Jun |
Shawwal Jul |
D.Qa'dah Aug |
D.Hijjah Sep |
Note that since mid-1439 (2/2018) we have advised our observers to look for the moon on both the 29th and the next day of the lunar month (for the UK to Morocco Region). This strategic improvisation makes it possible to have a future united Ramadan/Eid based on a UK-only Hijri calendar, subject to community consensus, InshaAllah. The tick (✓) shows positive (seen) and the cross (✕) shows negative (not seen) sighting reports for that month from any of the 2-days of monthly observations (from the UK). As of 1444/2023, the observation dates changed to UK 29th (and the next day). [Summary Fatawa] Observation before sunset is indicated by an asterisk ✕* (Major Lunar Standstills).
If you have any comments or questions regarding this website content, please do not hesitate to email us via our on-line Contact Us form.
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Crescent Moon Visibility of Muharram 1437 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Muharram 1437 shows that moon will be born on 13 October 2015 at 00:06 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK/Morocco region on that date. However, on 14 October 2015 the moon will be easily visible throughout most of the world. Hence, the month of Muharram is most likely to start from 15 October 2015.
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When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Muharram 1437 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Muharram 1437 AH on 13 October 2015 (29th Dhul Hijjah) after sunset from the western horizon as per Sunnah and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form.
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Muharram 1437 AH
Announcement for start of Muharram 1437 AH
The Hilal of Muharram 1437 was not sighted in the UK/Morocco region on Tuesday 13th October 2015 (29th Dhul Hijjah 1437 AH). We have also received a negative sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
Therefore, the UK Ulama have decided that the month of Dhul Hijjah 1437 AH will complete 30-days and the month of Muharram 1437 AH will start from Thursday 15th October 2015, making Ashura (10 Muharram) to fall on Saturday 24th October 2015, Insha-Allah.
Note that Saudi Arabia did not sight the moon on Tuesday 13th October 2015 from the usual places near Riyadh (Shaqra/Sudair) due to clouds. Hence, they may also start the month from Thursday 15th October 2015.
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Crescent Moon Visibility of Safar 1437 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Safar 1437 shows that moon will be born on 11 November 2015 at 17:47 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK/Morocco region on that date. However, on 12 November 2015 the moon will be easily visible in many countries of the world. Hence, the month of Safar is most likely to start from 13 November 2015.
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When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Safar 1437 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Safar 1437 AH on 12 November 2015 (29th Muharram) after sunset from the western horizon as per Sunnah and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form.
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Safar 1437 AH
Announcement for start of Safar 1437 AH
The Hilal of Safar 1437 was not sighted in the UK, but it was sighted in Morocco on Thursday 12th November 2015 (29th Muharram 1437 AH). We have also received a positive sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
Therefore, the UK Ulama have decided that the month of Muharram 1437 AH will have 29-days and the month of Safar 1437 AH will start from Friday 13th November 2015, Insha-Allah.
Note that Saudi Arabia do not normally make any official Hilal Sighting announcement from Safar to Shaban.
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Crescent Moon Visibility of Rabi-ul Awwal 1437 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Rabi-ul Awwal 1437 shows that moon will be born on 11 December 2015 at 10:29 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK/Morocco region on that date. However, on 12 December 2015 the moon will be easily visible in most countries of the world. Hence, the month of Rabi-ul Awwal is most likely to start from 13 December 2015.
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When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Rabi-ul Awwal 1437 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Rabi-ul Awwal 1437 AH on 11 December 2015 (29th Safar) after sunset from the western horizon as per Sunnah and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form.
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Rabi-ul Awwal 1437 AH
Announcement for start of Rabi-ul Awwal 1437 AH
The Hilal of Rabi-ul Awwal 1437 was not sighted in the UK/Morocco region on Friday 11th December 2015 (29th Safar 1437 AH). We have also received a negative sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
Therefore, the UK Ulama have decided that the month of Safar 1437 AH will complete 30-days and the month of Rabi-ul Awwal 1437 AH will start from Sunday 13th December 2015, Insha-Allah.
Note that Saudi Arabia do not normally make any official Hilal Sighting announcement from Safar to Shaban.