Observation Report for Shawwal 1438 AH

Crescent Moon Visibility of Shawwal 1438 AH

The crescent visibility map below for Shawwal 1438 shows that moon will be born on 24 June 2017 at 02:31 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK/Morocco region on that date. However, on 25 June 2017 the moon will be easily visible in most countries of the world. Hence, the month of Shawwal is most likely to start from 26 June 2017, InshaAllah.

Please note that according to reliable scientific predictions (Imkan e Ruyat), we are expecting negative sighting reports from the Middle East to West Africa. Therefore, please be aware of false sighting claims to match the Saudi Ummul Qura calendar, which does not match the visibility of the moon.

Realise also that if there is a genuine Hilal sighting from the East (e.g. Saudi Arabia) then it must be seen a few hours later to the West (e.g. Morocco), as the moon will be bigger, brighter and higher in the sky. If this is not the case, then the sighting report from the East must be a mistake (or a fabrication)!



It is stated in Fiqh texts (by Shaykhul Islam Ibn Taimyyah (RA), Majmua Fatawa, vol.13/p.62): ان الرؤية تختلف باختلاف التشريق والتغريب، فإنه متى رؤي في المشرق وجب ان يري في المغرب ولا ينعكس

Meaning: If there is a Hilal sighting in the East, then it must be sighted in the West (but not the other way around)

When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Shawwal 1438 AH

Please look for the Hilal of Shawwal 1438 AH on 24 June 2017 (29th Ramadan) after sunset from the western horizon as per Sunnah and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form.

Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Shawwal 1438 AH

24 June 2017 United Kingdom Luton Not seen after sunset: On 24 June 2017, ICOUK member Dr Mamnunur Rahman Khan from Luton City in the Bedfordshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye and/or Binoculars. Dr Mamnunur Rahman Khan commented: “No crescent seen. Negative sighting. Partially cloudy”. Surbiton Not seen after sunset: On 24 June 2017, ICOUK member Mr Javed Rafiq from Surbiton City in the Surrey County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye. Birmingham Not seen after sunset: On 24 June 2017, ICOUK member Mr Mohammed Zabhier from Birmingham City in the West Midlands County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye. Mr Mohammed Zabhier commented: “Too cloudy”. Hounslow Not seen after sunset: On 24 June 2017, ICOUK member Mr Syed Qadri from Hounslow City in the Middlesex County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye. Mr Syed Qadri commented: “Observeration time: 9:40 -9:50hrs”. Bolton Not seen after sunset: On 24 June 2017, ICOUK member Mr Muhammad Arshad Dar from Bolton City in the LANCASHIRE County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye. Mr Muhammad Arshad Dar commented: “Syk was totally covered with thick clouds”. York Not seen after sunset: On 24 June 2017, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye. Eng Qamar Uddin commented: “Cloudy York, Hilal not sighted. Negative sighting from Morocco (& Oman)”. Dewsbury Not seen after sunset: On 24 June 2017, ICOUK member Hafiz Dr Ayyub Patel from Dewsbury City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye and/or Binoculars. Hafiz Dr Ayyub Patel commented: “Not seenby naked eye and not seen by binoculars from 940 till 950. local moonset 9.50 pm and sunset was 9.45”. South Africa Carolina Not seen after sunset: On 24 June 2017, ICOUK member Shaykh Sulayman Gani from Carolina City in the Transvaal County (South Africa) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye. Shaykh Sulayman Gani commented: “The 4 us attempted to observe the Hilal with the naked eye”. 25 June 2017 United Kingdom Hounslow Seen after sunset: On 25 June 2017, ICOUK member Mr Syed Qadri from Hounslow City in the Middlesex County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye. Mr Syed Qadri commented: “Disappeared behind clouds very quickly”. Leicester Seen after sunset: On 25 June 2017, ICOUK member Mr Farsan Mansoor from Leicester City in the United Kingdom County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye. Mr Farsan Mansoor commented: “Alhamduliah as we sighted the moon in Leicester and many places in UK today inshaallah First day of Shawwaal (Eid day) will be starting tomorrow [Monday] Jazakallahukhiran”. Liverpool Seen after sunset: On 25 June 2017, ICOUK member Ms Jamilah Amal from Liverpool City in the Merseyside County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye. Ms Jamilah Amal commented: “I observed the crescent for Shawaal at approximately 9:57 pm, around 20 minutes after sunset. I observed the hilal for a few moments before it quickly disappeared behind partial clouds. My observation location was Liverpool Kings Dock, Liverpool.”. Crawley Seen after sunset: On 25 June 2017, ICOUK member Mr Razmy Nazeer Mohamed from Crawley City in the West Sussex County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye. Mr Razmy Nazeer Mohamed commented: “Today 29th of Ramadan (25/06/17 Sunday) As we (TNTJ -UK Branches) follow only UK sighting. Myself and brother Razmil were sighting moon in between very thick moving clouds. Celebrating Eid tomorrow (Monday ) insha Allah. Very happy Eid wishes to all ICOUK members”. Dewsbury Seen after sunset: On 25 June 2017, ICOUK member Hafiz Dr Ayyub Patel from Dewsbury City in the West Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and/or Binoculars. Hafiz Dr Ayyub Patel commented: “Here are some better pictures. crescent moon for shawaal was easily seen for about 15 minutes. first appearane after local sunset was about 15minutes. Eid Mubarak”. York Not seen after sunset: On 25 June 2017, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York 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: “It was totally cloudy after sunset in York so Hilal not seen”.

Announcement for start of Shawwal 1438 AH

On Saturday 24th June 2017 (29th Ramadan 1438 AH) the Hilal of Shawwal 1438 AH was not sighted in the the UK/Morocco region. We have also received a negative sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry by fax.

Therefore, the month of Ramaadan 1438 AH will complete 30-days and the month of Shawwal 1438 AH will start from Monday 26th June 2017, Insha-Allah. Eid Mubarak!

Note that Saudi Arabia normally make their Shawwal announcement on their SPA (www.spa.gov.sa) website.

We have received reliable reports that none of the official Hilal Committees in Saudi Arabia were able to sight the moon on Saturday 24th June 2017, but the usual early-sighters from near Riyadh (Shaqra/Sudair) have claimed a sighting which has been accepted by the court. Negative sighting reports from Oman MERA.