(by Eng. Qamar Uddin, ICOUK; dated 10 October 2026) [download pdf] | [Image - Square] | [Image - Portrait]
Understanding the 1 - 2 Day Difference in Moon Sighting
The Islamic month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon (in your country of residence) - not simply because another country has announced a new month.
LOCAL MOON SIGHTING MATTERS
Since 2018, the ICOUK has developed a consistent local moon-sighting system, with Islamic months lasting 29 or 30 days. Depending on the moon's visibility from different locations, the UK may begin a month one day, and occasionally two days, different from Saudi Arabia.
IS A TWO-DAY DIFFERENCE WRONG?
No. A difference of two days does not, by itself, make a local moon-sighting decision contrary to Shariah.
Countries that base their Islamic months on actual crescent visibility may differ from Saudi Arabia's Umm al-Qura calendar. Such differences can arise from geographical location, crescent visibility, and the criteria used to determine the beginning of a month.
India, with over 172 million Muslims (14%) and a long-established tradition of local moon sightings, is another example of a country whose Islamic dates can differ from Saudi Arabia. [1448-04: Hijri Date India | Deoband Hilal | Saudi Umm al-Qura]
WHAT SHOULD GUIDE UK MUSLIMS?
- ✓ Follow reliable moon-sighting evidence and sound Islamic scholarly guidance.
- ✓ Recognise legitimate differences arising from local visibility and accepted sighting criteria.
- ✓ Do not assume that Saudi Arabia's dates must automatically apply to the UK.
- ✓ Judge the validity of a sighting decision by its evidence and Shariah principles, not merely by the number of days' difference.
ONE UMMAH, DIFFERENT HORIZONS 
A difference in dates is not, by itself, proof of a mistake.
Support authentic local moon sightings in the UK.
Related: (1) UK Moon Sighting Fatawa | (2) Hijri Date India on X | (3) Ummul Qura Calendar
Checked by: ICOUK Ulama Panel (10/2026)
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