Crescent Moon Visibility of Rajab 1445 AH
The crescent visibility map below for Rajab 1445 (RHS) shows that the moon will be born on 11 January 2024 at 11:57 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 12 January 2024, the moon may be visible in Morocco and possibly in the UK too. Hence, the month of Rajab is most likely to start on 13 January 2024 in Morocco and the next day in the UK, InShaAllah. [UK Major Lunar Standstills Q&A]
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When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Rajab 1445 AH
Please look for the Hilal of Rajab 1445 AH on 12 & 13 January 2024 (28th & 29th Jumada Al-Akhira) after sunset from the western horizon and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form. Note that we highly recommend looking for the moon on 12th January 2024 as a precaution (see Jumada-II 1445 announcement)! [Photo Competition] See Also: Significance and Virtues of Rajab
Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Rajab 1445 AH
ICOUK Moon Report
12 Jan 2024
United Kingdom
Blackburn
Not seen after sunset: On 12 Jan 2024, 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 or Binoculars.
Maulana Hidayatullah Patel commented: "Report for 12 Jan 2024. Totally cloudy".
Chirnside
Seen after sunset: On 12 Jan 2024, ICOUK member Mr Juned Patel from Chirnside City in the Berwickshire, Scotland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Binoculars.
Mr Juned Patel commented: "I Juned Patel and Br Waqqas Ahmed saw the full shape of the crescent moon with binoculars after sunset on the 12th of January 2024 [16:20 GMT]".
Seen after sunset: On 12 Jan 2024, ICOUK member Mr Waqas Ahmed from Chirnside City in the Berwickshire, Scotland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Binoculars.
Mr Waqas Ahmed commented: "I witnessed the moon on Friday 12th Jan 2024 with Juned Patel who is an experienced moon sighter [submitted on 13/1/2024 - Admin]".
Dundee
Not seen after sunset: On 12 Jan 2024, ICOUK member Ms Shuhena Islam from Dundee City in the Scotland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Ms Shuhena Islam commented: "Observation date: 12/01/2024. Sunset started with clouds close to the horizon but cleared later (the second picture was taken at 4.56 pm)".
York (New Earswick)
Not seen after sunset: On 12 Jan 2024, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York (New Earswick) City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.
Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "This is a precautionary sighting report (on 28th Rabi-II 1445 for the UK), where I have tried to see the Hilal of Rajab 1445 from my usual location in York. I looked before sunset and again after maghrib/sunset, but it was totally cloudy, without any gaps near the sunset point (which happens on many occasions). The forecast for most of the UK was cloudy, too. So the moon was not seen anywhere (at the time of reporting)".
Morocco
Benslimane
Seen after sunset: On 12 Jan 2024, ICOUK member Prof Hassan Talibi from Benslimane City in the Casablanca-Settat County (Morocco) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Prof Hassan Talibi commented: "اللهم أهل علينا هلال رجب الخير باليمن والإيمان والسلامة والإسلام والنصر والتأييد لإخواننا المجاهدين / Translation: O Allah, grant us the crescent of Rajab goodness in peace, faith, safety, Islam, victory and support for our Mujahideen brothers".
13 Jan 2024
United Kingdom
Bolton
Seen after sunset: On 13 Jan 2024, ICOUK member Mr Muhammad Arshad Dar from Bolton City in the Greater Manchester County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Muhammad Arshad Dar commented: "The crescent was visible by Naked eye from my street in Bolton with no difficulty".
Brentwood
Seen after sunset: On 13 Jan 2024, ICOUK member Mr Hendrik Stahlberg from Brentwood City in the Essex County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Hendrik Stahlberg commented: "A slim break in the clouds enables me to see the moon.".
Cardiff
Seen before sunset: On 13 Jan 2024, ICOUK member Mr Shakil Qureshi from Cardiff City in the South Glamorgan (Wales) County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Shakil Qureshi commented: "I arrived at the sighting point well in advance of sunset, only to find a thick band of cloud covering the horizon. There was so much cloud that I didn't see the sunset. At this point, I thought I wouldn't see the Hilal. Luckily for me, the Hilal showed itself, at great altitude, a few minutes before sunset time and remained for a long afterwards".
Dundee
Seen after sunset: On 13 Jan 2024, ICOUK member Ms Shuhena Islam from Dundee City in the Scotland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Edinburgh
Seen after sunset: On 13 Jan 2024, ICOUK member Mr Zahid Ali from Edinburgh City in the Scotland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Mr Zahid Ali commented: "Hilal clearly observed [Submitted on 14/1/2024 - admin]".
Leeds (Seacroft)
Seen after sunset: On 13 Jan 2024, 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: "On my way home from my usual sighting site I managed to spot it with my naked eye. Alhamdolillah. When I came home my wife and I sighted together".
Middlesbrough
Seen after sunset: On 13 Jan 2024, ICOUK member Ms Shemanara Haq from Middlesbrough City in the Cleveland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.
Ms Shemanara Haq commented: "Positive sighting from park location in Acklam, Middlesbrough after sunset with my son. Clear skies with some clouds. Hilal was first sighted with Celestron 80x20 at 4 pm and 9 year old sighted with his naked eyes at sunset time 4.05 pm along with myself afterwards".
Portsmouth
Not seen after sunset: On 13 Jan 2024, 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.
Mr Mizanul Amin Babar commented: "Total cloud cover and mist .".
Redcar
Seen after sunset: On 13 Jan 2024, ICOUK member Ms Julie Breen from Redcar City in the Cleveland County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.
Ms Julie Breen commented: "Hilal seen very clearly".
York (New Earswick)
Seen after sunset: On 13 Jan 2024, 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 and Binoculars.
Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "It was cloudy in York today (13/1/2024) and the sunset was not seen (16:09 hrs GMT). However, from our past experience we were hopeful the clouds will move sufficiently enough for us to see the moon, InshaAllah. There were five of us (including one non-Muslim) who saw the Rajab 1445 Hilal by naked eye at about 17:04 hrs GMT, Alhamdulillah. It should be noted that the moon can be seen often in the UK cloudy weather (through a cloud break), if we are persistent in looking for it regularly on the correct date and in the right direction, InshaAllah".
Announcement for start of Rajab 1445 AH
On Friday, 12th January 2024 (28th Jumada Al-Akhira 1445 AH) the Hilal of Rajab 1445 was sighted in the UK (Local), according to the rules of Shariah [*].
[*] We were unable to establish a minimum of two testimonies last month (14/12/2023) as required to end the month on the 29th. So, the month was completed as 30 days. However, we have received two testimonies of Hilal sighting (by binoculars) on the 28th of Jumada Al-Akhira 1445. Hence, the start of Jumada Al-Akhira 1445 will be back-dated to 15 December 2023, making the 12th January 2024 as the 29th Jumada Al-Akhira 1445 (see Jumada Al-Akhira 1445 Announcement).
Therefore, Jumada Al-Akhira 1445 AH will have 29 days (after back-dating), and Rajab 1445 AH will start on Saturday, 13th January 2024, InShaAllah.
Signed by (Ulama Panel): Maulana Abdullah Ahmed, Maulana Yusuf Mota, Shaykh Suliman Gani.
Witnessed by Eng. Qamar Uddin, ICOUK (13/1/2024 20:00 GMT
Morocco (Regional): the month of Rajab 1445 AH will start on Saturday, 13th January 2024, InShaAllah. See the report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).
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).