Observation Report for Shawwal 1447 AH

Maulana Abdullah Ahmed commented: "My son and I, with Hafiz Ayub Patel from Dewsbury, travelled to Blackpool beach. We reached the coast about 10 minutes before sunset, and tried to sight the crescent moon after sunset with binoculars and the naked eye. But, due to the haze and light clouds on the horizon, the crescent moon was not seen. [Submitted on 30/3/2026 - Admin]".

Maulana Yusuf Mota commented: "I was able to see the sunset point, so I knew where to look for the Hilal. It became very hazy after sunset, so unable to sight the Hilal".

Mr Azim Mahomed Abdul Karim commented: "There was a group of people consisting of men, women, and children of varying ages. We saw Venus but not Hilal".

Mr Hameed Mamaniat commented: "This location, much like most of the UK apart from the far south of the country, either had high clouds or haze. Sunset was at 18:30 GMT, within 10 mins I was able to image the ultra-thin crescent on my digital astrophotography cameras (ASI533MM), mounted on a GT71 telescope with IR720nm pass through and a 50mm guidescope with ASI585MC camera and UV/IR cut filter. Even with knowing the exact location by using a laser pen, once it got dark enough to point to exactly where the moon would be in the sky, I just could not see it. This moon was very difficult to see; only exceptionally clear, crisp skies would have made it possible, which is in line with the theory. We take the positive here, I was able to track digitally a 17-hour moon (the earliest I've imaged) without stacking and in real time, which bodes well for future sighting attempts. [Submitted on 20/3/2026 - Admin]".

Mr Abdul Karim commented: "Unfortunately, clouds stayed on the horizon, hence visibility was poor in the direction of the moon. Then the moon dropped below the horizon without visibility".

Mr Aamir Din commented: "On the evening of 19th March 2026 (1447 AH), we gathered with nearly 70 people at Hough End Playing Fields in Manchester in an effort to sight the new crescent, fulfilling the Sunnah of Prophet ﷺ. Although the moon was not sighted, the gathering was truly beautiful. Families and children came together, creating a warm and uplifting atmosphere as we broke our fast, shared food, and prayed in unity. [Submitted on 22/3/2026 - Admin]".

Mr Juned Patel commented: "On Thursday, 19 March 2026, from Poundsgate, Newton Abbot (Dartmoor National Park), England, the waxing crescent moon (illumination 0.59%) was observed visually for a total of 28 minutes uninterrupted using an optical aid, Alhamdulillah, but it could not be seen with the naked eye. The moon was visually seen by all 5 adults (2 Muslim and 3 Non-Muslims). It was first observed at 18:42 for 28 minutes (Alt: +5.32°; Elongation: +8.82°; Illumination: 0.59%). Note that, I was busy pointing it out to 4 others and trying to take a photo, so I didn’t really try looking for it with the naked eye. The Sunset (standard) 18:26; Moonset (standard) = 19:23; Lag Time = 56 mins. [Submitted on 20/3/2026 - Admin] / Ref: Moon Sighting of the Farewell Hajj (632 AD/10 AH)".

Mr Anees Farooq commented: "I had traveled to Newton Abbot (TQ13 7PD) and started observing after sunset. After about 30 mins, I saw it on the telescope and a few minutes later with binoculars. The crescent was very dim and difficult to see initially, but I eventually sighted it (with the help of Br Juned Patel), Alhamdulillah. [Submitted on 20/3/2026 - Admin]".

Mr Faruq Bilbe commented: "There was a lot of thin cloud just above the horizon, but enough to obscure such a faint crescent. I thought I saw it at one point with the 25x100 binos, but couldn’t see all of it, so I believe that wouldn’t count anyway".

Mr Atiq Hussain commented: "Due to poor weather in Stockton-on-Tees, we drove to Sheffield to try to beat the clouds. In the westerly direction, the weather was clear at sunset time with some small patches or clouds low on the horizon in the direction of sunset. The moon was not seen despite our best efforts using both binoculars and a telescope. An astro camera was also used at the location, but this was not effective due to some patches of clouds forming at the best-time (around 18:45 GMT). Sighting was carried out until 19.15 GMT (moonset time). From our usual location in Stockton-on-Tees, a few brothers from our local Masjid tried to sight the moon but had no success due to thick cloud cover".

Mr Ashruf Amod commented: "I went to the Taplow site (near Slough) at 5.15 pm to set up and carry out alignment and sunset location. The sky was clear, and Venus was easily seen. However, I could not see the moon through binoculars or a telescope because of cloud cover on the horizon. I was met by Alia and her mother, who also tried to locate the moon".

Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "Two of us travelled from York to Sutton Bank (Thirsk), which is 1000ft (300m) high with a clear view of the western horizon down to below ground level (0.5°). We were joine by two other astronomers. Unfortunately, the moon was not seen. We have received testimonies from two of our experienced moon sighters that they have seen the moon with binoculars and/or a telescope from near Exeter (South West region). More details in a few days' time, InshaAllah. Eid Mubarak".

Mr Riyaz Bhikha commented: "We were 5 brothers (from Leicester) at an elevated place (Uffington Castle), with 3 x different binoculars. Western horizon was observed from 18:00 to 19:10 GMT. The moon was not seen, as it was cloudy near the Moonset location".

Maulana AbdulMalik Guillon commented: "The الهلال (new crescent moon) was observed through a telescope starting at 7:30 PM for 15 minutes by seven brothers, including three certified observers from Hilal France. Then, at 7:43 PM, it was seen with binoculars by three individuals, including two certified observers, for three minutes. [Note: Puy Loup is a high mountain, 4859 ft altitude, towards South of France - Admin]".

Mr Sofiane Admane commented: "The new crescent moon was observed through a telescope starting at 7:30 PM for a duration of 15 minutes by seven brothers, including three certified observers from Hilal France. Subsequently, at 7:43 PM, it was also sighted using binoculars by three individuals, including two certified observers, for three minutes. [Optical Aids use: Celestron 227 SLT with 40 mm eyepiece / Binoculars: Celestron 20x80]".

Hafiz Imraan Moolla commented: "A few of the Guernsey Muslim community (around 15 people, including men, women and children went out to Grande Rocques by Cobo Bay on Guernsey's West Coast. We were there from before sunset and observed and searched till moonset. Although it was clear overheard, the horizon was very hazy. As can be seen, even the sun was dimmed as it set, so no surprise that the crescent was not spotted through any of the means at our disposal. We were also assisted by the Astronomy Section of La Société Guernesiaise, and we thank Elaine for her time and expertise".

Prof Hassan Talibi commented: "كانت السماء ملبدة بالغيوم تمامًا في موقعي، لذا لم يُرَ القمر. مع ذلك، تلقيتُ أخبارًا من مصادر موثوقة تفيد بأن شخصًا رآه في سوابا من مدينة تيزنيت، وآخر من منطقة أورد (بالعين المجردة فقط). / It was totally cloudy at my location, so the moon was not seen. However, I have received news from those we trust that a person saw it in Suaba from the city of Tiznit, and another from the Ord region (by naked eye only). [Submitted on 20/3/2026 - Admin]".

Mr Juned Patel commented: "I was visiting family in Blackburn and was able to see the moon easily by naked eye after sunset".

Mr Hameed Mamaniat commented: "A much older moon at 41 hours, seen with the naked eye and an image taken with a mobile phone".

Mr Atiq Hussain commented: "The altitude of the moon was high, and the Moon was easily sighted in Stockton-on-Tees both before and after sunset time by the naked eye and binoculars".

Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "Although York was totally cloudy today (20/3/2026) the Western Horizon was sufficiently less cloudy to allow the 41 hrs old moon (19° altitude; 22° elongation) was easily seen by naked eye, soon after sunset, Alhamdulillah. This month continues to be a payback for the low-altitude moon of the UK winter months (Sep - Dec)! Note that UK local moon sightings fully meet the Shariah rule (of 29-30 days/months) so there is no need or necessity to follow foreign countries anymore (outside the British Isles)".