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Crescent Moon Visibility of Muharram 1442 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Muharram 1442 shows that moon will be born on 19 August 2020 at 2:42 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK to Morocco region on that date. However, on 20 August 2020 the moon will be visible in the UK to Morocco region (and throughout the world). Hence, the month of Muharram is most likely to start from 21 August 2020, InShaAllah.
When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Muharram 1442 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Muharram 1442 AH on 19 - 20 August 2020 (29th Dhul Hijjah and the next day) after sunset from the western horizon and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form. [Photo Competition]
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Muharram 1442 AH
Announcement for start of Muharram 1442 AH
On Wednesday 19th August 2020 (29th Dhul Hijjah 1441 AH) the Hilal of Muharram 1442 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 month of Dhul Hijjah 1441 AH will complete 30-days and the month of Muharram 1442 AH will start from Friday 21st August 2020, making Ashura (10 Muharram) to fall on Sunday 30th August 2020, InShaAllah. It is recommended to fast 9th & 10th or 10th and 11th or all 3-days (9th, 10th and 11th), InshaAllah.
Significance of Ashura (10 Muharram) 1. Narrated Ibn `Abbas (R): When the Prophet (ﷺ) arrived at Medina he found that the Jews observed fast on the day of 'Ashura'. They were asked the reason for the fast. They replied, "This is the day when Allah caused Moses and the children of Israel to have victory over Pharaoh, so we fast on this day as a sign of glorifying it." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "We are closer to Moses than you." Then he ordered that fasting on this day should be observed. (Bukhari) http://sunnah.com/bukhari/63/168 2. Abdullah b 'Abbas (R) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had said: "If I live till the next (year), I would definitely observe fast on the 9th [along with the 10th]", and the narration transmitted by Abu Bakr said: "He meant the day of Ashura." (Muslim) http://sunnah.com/muslim/13/173
3. Abu Qatadah (R) narrated that: the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Fast the Day of Ashura, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins of) the year before it." (Tirmidhi) https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/8/71
Note that Saudi Arabia may announce the Muharram hilal on their SPA www.spa.gov.sa website.
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The purpose of the UK Regional Hilal Groups on WhatsApp is for any of the UK Hilal observers to network with other observers in their area and to report their observations.
Therefore, if you carry out regular moon sightings, please join one of the UK Regional WhatsApp (Waiting Room) groups and then complete the introduction template below for the group admin to process your request. By joining the Waiting Room group, you are giving your consent to the admin to add you to the main group.
These groups are open to anyone (or any organisation) so you do not need to be a registered ICOUK member to join the Regional WhatsApp group, but you will need to follow the ground rules given below (and also shown on the group description after you join).
However, if you are new to moon sighting, please make that clear after you join the Waiting Room group (where you can add your introduction) and the admin will do their best endeavour to find other experienced sighters in your area who can support you (or help you receive training), InshaAllah.
The overall aim of these groups is to establish an Islamic Hijri Calendar for the UK, which is a communal obligation (Fardh Al-Kifaya).
Hilal Group Rules
The purpose and rules for the group are to:
- ✔️discuss and organise sighting locations, i.e. who will go to what locations (especially during working hours in the winter season)
- ✔️share sighting report, preferably with photos of both the sunset and the Hilal; and then report it to ICOUK website
- ✔️share your experience with others, especially those who are new to moon sighting
Please avoid the following:
- ❌Any discussion not related to the above or any foreign reports
- ❌Forward Hilal announcements by any groups
- ❌Forward unrelated images, messages or videos
If you are not sure, please Private Message (PM) the admin before posting. JazakAllahu Khaira
Introduction Template
(to copy-paste and edit as necessary/send to the admin)
Assalamualykum. My name is <title> <full name> from <town>
I work as a ... OR I am a ...*
I am interested in moon sighting activity because ...
I normally go to the <location> which has a clear view of the western horizons*
OR
I do not have a suitable location in mind and would like to help to find one*
*delete/edit as appropriate
Wassalam
Join UK Regional Hilal Groups (from Mobiles with WhatsApp only)
UPDATE: As a result of inappropriate (SPAM) messages to our Regional WhatsApp (Waiting Room) groups, we have disabled all the direct joining links. Therefore, please email your introduction message via our online Contact Us form (with your WhatsApp number) and we will add you to the relevant group ASAP, InshaAllah. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. (9/2021)
- North East Hilal Group (Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, Durham etc) to Join North West Hilal Group below (ATM)
- North West Hilal Group (Blackburn, Bolton, Manchester, Oldham, Preston, Liverpool etc)
- Yorks & Humber Hilal Group (York, Leeds, Bradford, Batley, Dewsbury etc)
- East Midlands Hilal Group (Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, Ashbourne etc)
- West Midlands Hilal Group (Birmingham, Coventry, Stafford, Telford, Walsall etc)
- Eastern Hilal Group (Bedford, Stevenage, Peterborough, Luton etc)
- Greater London (London: East, West, South, North etc)
- South East Hilal Group (Crawley, High Wycombe, Oxford, Reading, Slough, Southampton etc)
- South West Hilal Group (Bristol, Gloucester, Helston, Truro etc)
- Wales Hilal Group (Bridgend, Cardiff, Newport, Swansea etc)
- Scotland Hilal Group (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow etc)
- Northern Ireland Hilal Group (Belfast, Derry, Newry etc) - to Join Scotland Hilal Group above (ATM)
Jersey Hilal Group (St. Helier, St. John, St. Ouen, Gorey etc)
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Crescent Moon Visibility of Dhul Hijjah 1441 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Dhul Hijjah 1441 shows that moon will be born on 20 July 2020 at 17:33 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible to the naked-eye anywhere in the UK/Morocco region (or anywhere in the whole world) on that date. However, on 21 July 2020, it will be easily visible in the UK/Morocco region and in most countries of the world. Hence, the month of Dhul Hijjah is most likely to start from 22 July 2020 (so Eid-ul Adha is likely to be on Friday 31 July 2020), InShaAllah. See also: Significance and Virtues of Dhul Hijjah (first 10 days) | Is Eid-ul Adha Connected with Hajj? | [YouTube]
When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Dhul Hijjah 1441 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Dhul Hijjah 1441 AH on 21 - 22 July 2020 (29th Dhul Qa'dah & next day) after sunset from the western horizon and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form.
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Dhul Hijjah 1441 AH
Announcement for start of Dhul Hijjah 1441 AH
On Tuesday 21st July 2020 (29th Dhul Qa'dah 1441 AH) the Hilal of Dhul Hijjah 1441 was sighted in the UK to Morocco region. We have also received a positive sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
Therefore, the month of Dhul Qa'dah 1441 AH will have 29-days and the month of Dhul Hijjah 1441 AH will start from Wednesday 22nd July 2020 (making Eid-ul Adha to be on Friday 31 July 2020), InShaAllah.
Significance of Dhul Hijjah (first 10 days)
1. Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "There are no days during which the righteous action is so pleasing to Allah than these days (i.e., the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah)." He was asked: "O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah, except in case one goes forth with his life and his property and does not return with either of it." (Bukhari, Book 9, Hadith 259)
2. Abu Qatadah (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked about the observance of Saum (fasting) on the day of Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah). He said, "It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year and the current year." (Muslim, Book 9, Hadith 260)
Note that Saudi Arabia normally make official Hilal Sighting announcement for Dhul Hijjah on www.spa.gov.sa website
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Crescent Moon Visibility of Dhul Qa'dah 1441 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Dhul Qa'dah 1441 shows that moon will be born on 21 June 2020 at 06:41 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK/Morocco region on that date. However, on 22 June 2020 the moon will be easily visible in the UK and in most countries of the world. Hence, the month of Dhul Qa'dah is most likely to start from 23 June 2020, InshaAllah. Note that there will be a solar eclipse on 21 June 2020 across Africa/Middle East and a lunar eclipse on 5 - 6 July 2020 across Europe/Africa and the Americas.
When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Dhul Qa'dah 1441 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Dhul Qa'dah 1441 AH on 21 & 22 June 2020 (29th Shawwal & next day) after sunset from the western horizon and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form. [Photo Competition]
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Dhul Qa'dah 1441 AH
Announcement for start of Dhul Qa'dah 1441 AH
On Sunday 21st June 2020 (29th Shawwal 1441 AH), the Hilal of Dhul Qa'dah 1441 was not sighted in the UK/Morocco Region. We have also received a negative sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view). Therefore, the month of Shawwal 1441 AH will complete 30-days and the month of Dhul Qa'dah 1441 AH will start from Tuesday 23rd June 2020, InShaAllah
Note that Saudi Arabia do not normally make any official Hilal Sighting announcement for Dhul Qa'dah (as they usually follow the Ummul Qura Calendar).
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Crescent Moon Visibility of Shawwal 1441 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Shawwal 1441 shows that moon will be born on 22 May 2020 at 17:39 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK/Morocco region (or anywhere in the whole world) on that date. However, on 23 May 2020, the moon may not be seen in the UK (except with Optical Aid) but may be seen in other West African countries, including Morocco. Hence, the month of Shawwal is most likely to start from 24 May 2020, InShaAllah.
When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Shawwal 1441 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Shawwal 1441 AH on 23 & 24 May 2020 (29th Ramadan and next day) after sunset from the western horizon and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form. [Photo Competition]
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Shawwal 1441 AH
Announcement for start of Shawwal 1441 AH
On Saturday 23rd May 2020 (29th Ramadan 1441 AH) the Hilal of Shawwal 1441 was not sighted in the UK but it was sighted in Morocco region. We have also received a positive sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
Therefore, the month of Ramadan 1441 AH will have 29-days and the month of Shawwal 1441 AH will start from Sunday 24th May 2020, InShaAllah. Eid Mubarak to all Muslims (and don't forget to share your Hilal photo on ICOUK website)!
Note that Saudi Arabia normally make their Shawwal announcement on their SPA (www.spa.gov.sa) website.