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Moon sighting in Islam

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Moon sighting (Arabic: رؤية الهلال) refers to the act of observing a new crescent moon and is one of the ways to determine the beginning of a lunar month.[1][better source needed] On the Islamic calendar, a month begins with the first sighting of the crescent moon, involving astronomy in Islamic events and festivals, including Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.[2][3]

Procedure

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United Kingdom

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Whilst Muslim Majority nations usually have a goverment affiliated department, In the Unted Kingdom. It is often private organisations that provide annoucments to the Muslim Community. The leading organisation in the UK is the New Crescent Society which works with various Government subsidiaries such as the Royal Observatory Greenwich, The Mayor Of London/London City Gov, The London Eye, HM almanac Office and many more.[4][5][6]

Iran

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The Estehlal Headquarters is the organization and command post based in Iran[7][8][9] deploys groups to monitor the sky and identify the crescent of the Moon[10][11][12][13] as per the Islamic tradition of Estehlal.[clarification needed][citation needed] This marks the first day of each month on the lunar calendar.[14] Estehlal Headquarters[15][16] was established by the decree of Iran's supreme leader, Seyyed Ali Khamenei, to regulate the practice of Estehlal.[17][18] The Center consists of 150 groups[19][20][21] with 700 members.[22][23]

Saudi Arabia

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The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called on all moon sighters across the Kingdom to participate in sighting the new moon, whether with the naked eye or through binoculars.[failed verification] The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia requested those who observe a crescent moon approach the nearest court and provide their testimony to assist the court in determining the beginning of Ramadan.[24]


See also

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References

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  1. ^ "بررسی فقهی رؤیت هلال ماه". Khamenei.ir (in Persian).
  2. ^ "How to sight the new crescent Moon".
  3. ^ Schmall, Emily (9 April 2024). "How the Solar Eclipse Affected Eid Timing". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Bentley, David (2025-05-28). "Eid ul Adha 2025 UK date confirmed by Birmingham moonsighting board". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  5. ^ "Eid in the Square 2023 | London City Hall". www.london.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  6. ^ "Ramadan New Crescent Moon Watch 2025 | Royal Observatory". www.rmg.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  7. ^ What is Estehlal headquarter(s) doing? isna.ir
  8. ^ Estehlal -- The month of Shawal iqna.ir
  9. ^ Estehlal Headquarter announces based on scientific concepts/comments of expert individuals irna.ir Retrieved 27 February 2020
  10. ^ Setad-e Estehlal haftaseman.ir Retrieved 27 February 2020
  11. ^ Information database of (the) "Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran
  12. ^ FarhangeFarsi Amid (Amid dictionary)
  13. ^ Encyclopedia of the Islamic World, RoyatehMah (Estehlal)
  14. ^ The stages of Estehlal (seeing the month) -- in Ramadanmonth tabnak.ir Retrieved 29 February 2020
  15. ^ Waseti, Seyyed Mohammad Morteza Hosseini, Tajol-Aroos Men Jaharol-Qamous, Vol. 7, p. 303
  16. ^ Darulfekr LeTaba'ah WaNashr WaTozi', first edition
  17. ^ Circumstances of "Estehlal Headquarter" yjc.ir Retrieved 27 February 2020
  18. ^ Estehlal -- How is seen the newmoon? khamenei.ir Retrieved 22 February 2020
  19. ^ The activity of 150 groups -- Estehlal parsnews.com Retrieved 22 February 2020
  20. ^ Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) News Agency
  21. ^ Khabargozari-e Daneshjoo (Student News Network)
  22. ^ Activities 150 groups to see the crescent moon in the country farsnews.ir
  23. ^ Observation of 150 groups for the practice of Estehlal in the country irna.ir
  24. ^ "When is Ramadan 2024 and how is the moon sighted?". Aljazeera.