Crescent Moon Visibility of Rajab 1444 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Rajab 1444 (RHS) shows that the moon will be born on 21 January 2023 at 20:53 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK to Morocco (MA) region on that date. However, on 22 January 2023 the moon will be visible in Morocco but not in the UK until the next day. Hence, the month of Rajab is most likely to start from 23 and 24 January 2023 in MA and the UK, respectively, InShaAllah.
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When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Rajab 1444 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Rajab 1444 AH on 22 & 23 January 2023 (29th Jumada Al-Akhira in MA and UK, respectively) after sunset from the western horizon and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form. [Photo Competition] See Also: Significance and Virtues of Rajab
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Rajab 1444 AH
ICOUK Moon Report
22 Jan 2023
United Kingdom
Bolton
Not seen after sunset: On 22 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Juned Patel 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 Juned Patel commented: "Negative sighting from Bolton, as it was totally cloudy".
Leeds (Seacroft)
Not seen after sunset: On 22 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Maulana Yusuf Mota from Leeds (Seacroft) City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Binoculars.
Maulana Yusuf Mota commented: "I knew where the sunset point was. I was present from sunset till around 17:25. It was mostly cloudy today but there were pockets of visibility around the sunset point but the moon was not sighted".
London (Forest Gate)
Not seen after sunset: On 22 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Yakub Atkins from London (Forest Gate) City in the Greater London County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Telescope.
Mr Yakub Atkins commented: "Clear Sky with visible satellites, aeroplanes and some stars [but the moon was not seen]".
Portsmouth
Not seen after sunset: On 22 Jan 2023, 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 not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Mizanul Amin Babar commented: "The weather was somewhat cloudy. I did not see the crescent moon".
Southampton
Not seen after sunset: On 22 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Imam Kasim Sumra from Southampton City in the Hampshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Imam Kasim Sumra commented: "Unfortunately Hilal wasn’t sighted".
Whitehaven
Not seen after sunset: On 22 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Faruq Bilbe from Whitehaven City in the Cumbria County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Faruq Bilbe commented: "No chance of sighting the moon again this evening with cloud cover so dense that I couldn’t even see the sunset".
York (Murton)
Not seen after sunset: On 22 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York (Murton) City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "Most of the sky was totally cloudy with a clear patch of sky near sunset position, but the moon was not seen".
Morocco
Tangier
Seen after sunset: On 22 Jan 2023, 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.
Mr Hatim El-Harrak commented: "In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. This evening, I monitored the crescent of the month of Rajab 1444 AH from the city of Tangiers, where the crescent was captured by the means of the camera. I could not see the crescent easily because it quickly disappeared behind the tall buildings and there was not enough time to see it with the naked eye. But it was seen with the naked eye by many observers in central and southern parts of Morocco".
23 Jan 2023
United Kingdom
Batley
Seen before sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Ms Aasiya Ismail from Batley City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Binoculars and Naked-eye.
Ms Aasiya Ismail commented: "Seen before sunset with the naked eye (very faint), clearer with binoculars. The picture is not clear enough. The sky quickly became overcast as Maghrib approached".
Blackburn (Mellor)
Not seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Mohammad Quraishi from Blackburn (Mellor) City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Mohammad Quraishi commented: "The crescent moon was NOT SEEN in Blackburn. The sky had plenty of cloud cover apart from a strip low on the horizon. I did not see the crescent descending despite observing for one hour".
Bolton
Seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Sameer Ali from Bolton City in the Greater Manchester County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Brentwood
Not seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Hendrik Stahlberg from Brentwood City in the Essex County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Binoculars.
Mr Hendrik Stahlberg commented: "Clouds prevented moon sighting".
Bristol
Seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Tahir Mahmood from Bristol City in the Bristol County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Tahir Mahmood commented: "My 14-year-old son and I could easily see the crescent for Rajab 1444 after 10 minutes of maghrib. Whilst driving home from our usual sighting location, we were able to sight again at different locations with ease".
Cambridge
Seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Imad Ahmed from Cambridge City in the Cambridgeshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Imad Ahmed commented: "I trained a group of people from Cambridge Mosque and around thirty of us saw the moon. The picture shows me testifying seeing the moon with the Imam of Cambridge Central Mosque, with the crescent clearly in shot".
Cardiff
Seen before sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr John Smith from Cardiff City in the Wales County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Croydon (Canterbury Road)
Not seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Umar Faruk Abdul Muthalif from Croydon (Canterbury Road) City in the Greater London County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Dewsbury (Moorend)
Seen before sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Maulana Abdullah Ahmed from Dewsbury (Moorend) City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Binoculars and Naked-eye.
Maulana Abdullah Ahmed commented: "Sighted the hilal at 3:49 pm with binoculars and naked eye at 4:26 pm before sunset, then the crescent moon went behind the clouds [so it was not seen after sunset]".
Faringdon (Woolstone)
Seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Juned Patel from Faringdon (Woolstone) City in the Oxfordshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Juned Patel commented: "I saw the moon at 15:31 [well before sunset] with naked eyes [and continued to see it after sunset] until moonset 18:49 GMT".
Leeds (Seacroft)
Seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Maulana Yusuf Mota from Leeds (Seacroft) 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: "Alhamdolillah we sighted [the Hilal] from my home with my family".
Nelson (Sabden)
Not seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Qasim Abbas from Nelson (Sabden) City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Qasim Abbas commented: "The hilal was not visible in Nelson / Sabden lancashire on the 23rd January. ".
Port Talbot
Seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Shakil Qureshi from Port Talbot City in the Swansea County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Shakil Qureshi commented: "We arrived at the viewing point quite late but had already seen the moon on our way to the viewing point".
Portsmouth
Not seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Ms Rahma Alfarsy from Portsmouth City in the Hampshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Binoculars or Naked-eye.
Ms Rahma Alfarsy commented: "Thick clouds covered the crescent moon and so a negative sighting".
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Ms Shemanara Haq from Saltburn-by-the-Sea City in the Cleveland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Ms Shemanara Haq commented: "Positive naked eye sighting. Sunset time 4.24 pm and moonset time 6.36 pm. Initially, we sighted from the park from 4 pm until just before 6 pm. There was a thick cloud covering where the moon would have been seen and looked like it would not be seen. We were 2 Muslim sisters and 4 non-Muslim sisters with 6 children. We went indoors and then we saw the hilal at least 90 mins after sunset from the window. There seemed to be a lot of glare when taking photos of the moon was challenging but we could see it clearly with our eyes. I managed to get photos that evening with my iPhone 12. The 1st photo was taken at 4.09 pm before sunset from the park. The 2nd photo was taken after sunset at 5.09 pm. The 3rd photo was taken indoors around 6 pm when we had seen the hilal. The 4th is a similar photo".
Sheffield
Seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Ms Azhara Miller from Sheffield City in the South Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Ms Azhara Miller commented: "The crescent of Rajab 1444 was easily seen with the naked eye by all [the group of 20+ adults], Alhamdulillah ".
Whitehaven
Not seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, ICOUK member Mr Faruq Bilbe from Whitehaven City in the Cumbria County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Faruq Bilbe commented: "Even less visibility here today than yesterday, I could hardly make out St Bee’s head".
York
Seen after sunset: On 23 Jan 2023, 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 Binoculars and Naked-eye.
Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "I reached the Hilal sighting location about half an hour before sunset (directly from work) and Br Mohammad Zafeer Musa from York University joined me soon afterwards. The sky was partly cloudy but the sunset location was seen. We saw the Rajab Hilal about 10 mins before sunset with 20x80 binoculars (as both of us wear glasses) and about 10 mins later (after sunset) we saw the Hilal by the naked eye (and recited the dua), Alhamdulillah. We prayed Maghrib in Jamat and continued to see the Hilal for another half an hour before it went behind a bank of clouds. Today (23/1/2023) is the 1st day’s moon for the UK according to the rules of Shariah as it was not seen anywhere in the UK yesterday".
Announcement for start of Rajab 1444 AH
On Sunday 22nd January 2023 (29th Jumada Al-Akhira 1444 AH in MA) the Hilal of Rajab 1444 was not sighted in the UK but it was sighted in Morocco. We have also received a positive sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
Therefore, the start of the month based on the Regional (UK – MA) and Local (UK-only) Moon Sighting criteria are given below.
Regional (UK - MA): the month of Jumada Al-Akhira 1444 AH will have 29 days and the month of Rajab 1444 AH will start from Monday 23rd January 2023, InShaAllah.
Local (UK-only): the month of Jumada Al-Akhira 1444 AH will have 29 days and the month of Rajab 1444 AH will start from Tuesday 24th January 2023, InShaAllah.
Signed by (Ulama Panel): Maulana Abdullah Ahmed, Maulana Yusuf Mota, Shaykh Suliman Gani. Witnessed by Eng. Qamar Uddin, ICOUK.net (Dated 23/01/2023 21:00 GMT)
Reference: Towards Local Moon Sighting (UK) | Regional Moon Sighting and the Use of Optical Aid
Note that Saudi Arabia do not normally make any official Hilal Sighting announcement from Safar to Shaban (as they usually follow the Ummul Qura Calendar in these months).