On Saturday, August 23, the crescent moon for Rabi Al Awwal was not observed in the UAE, as reported by the country’s astronomy center on Sunday, August 24.
This means the new Islamic month will start on Monday, August 25, with Safar concluding after 30 days in the Hijri year 1447 AH.
The moon sighting confirms the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s birthday will fall on Friday, September 5, corresponding to 12 Rabi Al Awwal, potentially leading to a three-day weekend for UAE residents who have weekends on Saturday and Sunday.
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No official statement has been released by UAE authorities regarding the public holiday yet.
The center noted that the crescent was not visible from the Arab region on Saturday, even with telescopes or advanced astronomical imaging technology.
On Sunday, August 24, the crescent is expected to be easily visible with the naked eye in most Arab countries and with some difficulty in North Asian Arab countries.
Rabi’ al-Awwal begins on Sunday in the following countries:
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Iraq
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Saudi Arabia
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Qatar
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Bahrain
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Kuwait
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Palestine
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Egypt
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Tunisia
Rabi’ al-Awwal starts on Monday in these countries:
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Indonesia
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Malaysia
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Brunei
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Singapore
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India
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Bangladesh
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Pakistan
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Iran
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Oman
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United Arab Emirates
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Jordan
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Libya
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Algeria
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Morocco
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Mauritania
On Friday, August 22, Al-Khatim Astronomical Observatory captured a photo of the crescent marking the end of Safar 1447 AH despite challenging weather. However, predicting Rabi Al Awwal’s start was difficult.
The Rabi Al Awwal crescent sighting holds special importance for Muslims as they celebrate Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s birthday on Rabi Al Awwal 12, which is a public holiday in several countries, including the UAE.
Each month, on the 29th day of the Hijri calendar, the UAE moon sighting committee gathers to observe the crescent and announce the next Islamic month.
The Islamic calendar is lunar-based, with each month beginning when a new moon is sighted.
