Crescent Moon Visibility of Shaban 1444 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Shaban 1444 (RHS) shows that the moon will be born on 20 February 2023 at 07:06 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 21 February 2023 the moon will be easily visible in the UK and in most countries of the world. Hence, the month of Shaban is most likely to start from 22 February 2023, InShaAllah.
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When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Shaban 1444 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Shaban 1444 AH on 20 & 21 February 2023 (29th and 30th Rajab in UK and MA, 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 Shaban
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Shaban 1444 AH
ICOUK Moon Report
20 Feb 2023
United Kingdom
Blackburn
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Maulana Hidayatullah 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.
Bolton
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Feb 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: "From Bolton Zakaria Masjid, the western sky was completely covered with dense clouds, neither saw sunset or the moon".
Cambridge
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Ms Hamdah Qalib from Cambridge City in the Cambridgeshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Ms Hamdah Qalib commented: "Observed before and after maghrib, did not see the hilaal [but Venus and Jupiter stars were clearly seen]".
London (Forest Gate)
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Mr Yakub Atkins from London (Forest Gate) City in the Greater London County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Yakub Atkins commented: "Pretty clear sky with a few clouds, the moon was not seen".
Nuneaton
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Mr Ali Khan from Nuneaton City in the Warwickshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Reading
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Mr Faruq Bilbe from Reading City in the Berkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Binoculars or Naked-eye.
Mr Faruq Bilbe commented: "Back in Reading today [20/2/2023] and tried a new location by the Thames. Should be good in winter when the moon is higher, but the moon view was obstructed by buildings at about 1 degree".
York (New Earswick)
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York (New Earswick) 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: "It was cloudy forecast in York today (20/2/2023) but in practice, there was a patch of clear sky near the sunset position where the moon (at 1° altitude) was expected to be seen (see photos) but it was not seen".
Morocco
Tangier
Not seen after sunset: On 20 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Mr Hatim El-Harrak from Tangier City in the Tangier-Tetouan Al-Hoceima County (Morocco) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Binoculars or Naked-eye.
Mr Hatim El-Harrak commented: "It was not possible to see the crescent of Sha’ban 1444 AH from the city of Tangiers on the evening of Monday 20 February 2023, due to the heavy clouds that covered the horizon and the sky in general".
21 Feb 2023
United Kingdom
Ashton-under-Lyne
Seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Maulana Ebrahim Diwan from Ashton-under-Lyne City in the Greater Manchester County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Batley
Seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 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 Naked-eye.
Ms Aasiya Ismail commented: "Initially hard to spot at 6pm but gradually became beautifully clear. Subhanallah!".
Blackburn
Not seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Maulana Hidayatullah 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.
Bolton
Not seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, 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 Binoculars or Naked-eye.
Mr Muhammad Arshad Dar commented: "Western horizon was completely covered with dark and thick clouds, Crescent could not be sighted. Negative sighting from Bolton ".
Bristol
Not seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Mr Tahir Mahmood from Bristol City in the Bristol County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Binoculars or Naked-eye.
Mr Tahir Mahmood commented: "Despite a clear window amongst the clouds at sunset, clouds obscured the sight of the hilal where it was expected to be seen. Subsequently, no hilal was observed in Bristol".
Cambridge
Not seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Ms Hamdah Qalib from Cambridge City in the Cambridgeshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Cradley Heath
Not seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Mr Modoris Ali from Cradley Heath City in the West Midlands County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Modoris Ali commented: "It was totally cloudy, so I was unable to see the moon. I checked the front of my house and the garden, but it was totally cloudy in that area, too ".
Leeds (Seacroft)
Seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Maulana Yusuf Mota from Leeds (Seacroft) City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Maulana Yusuf Mota commented: "Alhamdulillah, positive sighting of the Hilal of Shaban 2023 just after sunset in Leeds (Seacroft)".
Nelson
Not seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Mr Qasim Abbas from Nelson 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: "I was not able to see the HILAL today due to partly/total cloud cover. I was sighting from Pendle Hill (Sabden route) located nearby to Nelson".
Portsmouth
Not seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Mr Mizanul Amin Babar from Portsmouth City in the Hampshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Reading
Not seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, 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 Binoculars or Naked-eye.
Mr Faruq Bilbe commented: "Disappointed by the cloud cover today".
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 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 sighting of hilal through gaps in clouds, seen with Sr Julie, one non-Muslim sister and an 8 year muslim child. Seen after Magrib until 6.30 pm. Sunset 5.23 pm and moonset 7.08 pm. Photos taken before and after sunset with iPhone 12".
Saltburn-by-the-Sea (Brotton)
Seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Ms Julie Breen from Saltburn-by-the-Sea (Brotton) City in the Cleveland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Southampton
Not seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Imam Kasim Sumra from Southampton City in the Hampshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Imam Kasim Sumra commented: "No Hilal was sighted by brothers that went observing [due to clouds]".
Telford (Edgmond)
Seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Mr Juned Patel from Telford (Edgmond) City in the Shropshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Binoculars and Naked-eye.
Mr Juned Patel commented: "I spotted the crescent moon with binoculars at 17:24 GMT and sunset at 17:32 GMT but it was still very difficult to be seen with the naked eye. Alhamdulillah, finally it was barely visible to the naked eye from 17:41 GMT. It was extremely faint but from 17:46 GMT it was reasonably visible. At 17:52 GMT it disappeared behind the clouds and reappeared again for the final time between 18:09 to 18:37 GMT".
York (New Earswick)
Seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York (New Earswick) 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: "The three of us (I, Dr Bashir Dodo and Aqeale Peero) saw the Shaban 1444 Hilal from York today (21/2/2023) at 17:45 hrs GMT, soon after we prayed Maghrib at 17:30 hrs GMT (sunset was at 17:25 the GMT). We arrived at the location at 17:00 hrs and clearly saw the sunset position and estimated the position of the moon to be about 10° to the left of sunset, well above a landmark on the western horizon. We saw the Hilal with the naked eye exactly at the position estimated and our group members were really pleased to witness the moon first-hand where it was predicted, Alhamdulillah".
York (Rufforth)
Seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Mr Younes Foster from York (Rufforth) City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Younes Foster commented: "Lower sky hazy but crescent clearly visible".
Morocco
Benslimane
Not seen after sunset: On 21 Feb 2023, ICOUK member Prof Hassan Talibi from Benslimane City in the Casablanca-Settat County (Morocco) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Announcement for start of Shaban 1444 AH
On Monday 20th February 2023 (29th Rajab 1444 AH in MA) the Hilal of Shaban 1444 was not sighted in the UK to Morocco region. We have also received a negative 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 Rajab 1444 AH will complete 30 days and the month of Shaban 1444 AH will start from Wednesday 22nd February 2023, InShaAllah.
Local (UK-only): the month of Rajab 1444 AH will have 29 days and the month of Shaban 1444 AH will start from Wednesday 22nd February 2023, InShaAllah.
Signed by (Ulama Panel): Maulana Abdullah Ahmed, Maulana Yusuf Mota, Shaykh Suliman Gani, & Moulana Ebrahim Diwan. Witnessed by Eng. Qamar Uddin, ICOUK.net (Dated 21/02/2023 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).