Crescent Moon Visibility of Shaban 1437 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Shaban 1437 shows that moon will be born on 6 May 2016 at 19:29 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK/Morocco region on that date. However, on 7 May 2016 the moon will be easily visible in most countries of the world. Hence, the month of Shaban is most likely to start from 8 May 2016.
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When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Shaban 1437 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Shaban 1437 AH on 7 May 2016 (29th Rajab) 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 Shaban 1437 AH
ICOUK Moon Report
07 May 2016
United Kingdom
Bolton
Not seen after sunset: On 07 May 2016, ICOUK member Mr Muhammad Arshad Dar 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 Muhammad Arshad Dar commented: "It was sunny and beautiful day with plenty of sunshine but towards the end of day thick gray clouds covered the sky including the western horizon. I am reporting a negative sighting from Bolton due to clouds.".
Croydon (Addington)
Not seen after sunset: On 07 May 2016, ICOUK member Shaykh Sulayman Gani from Croydon (Addington) 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.
Shaykh Sulayman Gani commented: "William Bottachi from Croydon Astronomical Observatory [& I] used the binoculars [to look for the crescent moon]]. The two of us attempted to observe the crescent for the Islamic month of Sha'baan in Addington, North Downs Crescent of Croydon, [which was a one of the highest location in the area]".
Luton
Not seen after sunset: On 07 May 2016, ICOUK member Dr Mamnunur Rahman Khan from Luton City in the Bedfordshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Dr Mamnunur Rahman Khan commented: "No hilal seen sky has cloud covering and mist.".
Thirsk
Not seen after sunset: On 07 May 2016, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from Thirsk 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: "We travelled over 30 miles to a location near Thirsk (UK), which is far away from inner city light pollutions and over 1000 feet high with a clear horizon down to ground level. It was the ideal place to sight the crescent moon, which was expected to appear dim and low on the horizon. We were fortunate to have a few highly experience observers from the York Astronomical Society who kindly offered to help locate the moon for us with binoculars/telescopes and a large group of scholars from Batley also came. Unfortunately, the moon was not seen due to heavy clouds, even though the daytime weather was clear.".
Not seen after sunset: On 07 May 2016, ICOUK member Maulana Hashim Sacha from Thirsk City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Tunbridge Wells
Not seen after sunset: On 07 May 2016, ICOUK member Mr Ayub Kara from Tunbridge Wells City in the Kent County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.
Mr Ayub Kara commented: "Few pockets of clouds ".
08 May 2016
United Kingdom
Hastings
Seen after sunset: On 08 May 2016, ICOUK member Mr Ilham Thassim from Hastings City in the East Sussex County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Ilham Thassim commented: "I'm from UK Thawheed Jamath (UKTJ) & we are sighting each month regularly [from] the following area's Leicester, Luton, London, Crawley & Hastings area. And also we strictly follow UK sighting only".
London
Seen after sunset: On 08 May 2016, ICOUK member Mr Makbul Jaffer from London City in the Greater London County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Makbul Jaffer commented: "Easily seen with unaided eye. Sorry photo taken on iphone [not much zoom]".
Morden
Seen after sunset: On 08 May 2016, ICOUK member Mr Ayub Kara from Morden City in the Surrey County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Ayub Kara commented: "Clearley and easiely visible".
York
Seen after sunset: On 08 May 2016, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York 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 and Br Yusuf Karbani saw the Shaban 1437 AH hilal as soon as we came outside the Masjid after maghrib prayer at 21:15 BST and read the Masnoon duaa. I then arrived home and took the photos below at 21:35. Many others also sent the Hilal photos by WhatsApp/Emails. Some of our UK Muslim communites who follow strictly local moon sighting will start their month of Shaban from tomorrow 9 May 2016, InshaAllah (Ref: Thassim Ilham/Farzan Mansoor). It will be really good, if we can all follow strictly local sighting throughout the year without any months becoming less than 29-days, which some people claim is possible!".
Announcement for start of Shaban 1437 AH
The Hilal of Shaban 1437 was not sighted in the UK due to clouds, but it was sighted in Morocco on Saturday 7th May 2016 (29th Rajab 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 Rajab 1437 AH will have 29-days and the month of Shaban 1437 AH will start from Sunday 8th May 2016, making 15th Shaban to be on Sunday 22nd May 2016 (i.e. from the night of Saturday 21st May), Insha-Allah.
Note that Saudi Arabia do not normally make any official Hilal Sighting announcement from Safar to Shaban and Dhul Qa'dah.