The Egyptian Dar al-Ifta has announced that it will seek the crescent of Dhu al-Qi’dah for the year 1447 AH on the evening of Friday, April 17, 2026. This sighting process, which determines the start of the 11th month of the Islamic calendar, will be conducted through specialized sharia committees deployed across various governorates in Egypt.
Determining the موعد رؤية هلال شهر ذو القعدة لعام 1447 هجريا is a critical event for millions of Muslims, as the Hijri calendar governs the timing of religious observances. Whereas the sighting process relies on physical observation, astronomical data provides a baseline for what observers can expect to notice in the night sky.
According to astronomical calculations, the new moon is expected to be born immediately following the lunar conjunction, which is scheduled for 1:53 PM Cairo local time on Friday, April 17, 2026. This timing aligns with the 29th day of Shawwal 1447 AH, marking the official “day of sighting.”
Astronomical Visibility and Global Variations
The ability to sight the crescent depends heavily on the moon’s position relative to the sun at the moment of sunset. In Egypt, the moon will remain visible in the sky for approximately 11 minutes after sunset in Cairo, with visibility ranging between 7 and 14 minutes across other Egyptian provinces.
The visibility window varies significantly across the Islamic world. In Mecca, the crescent is expected to remain visible for six minutes after sunset. Across other Arab and Islamic capitals, the window of visibility is projected to range from 2 to 21 minutes.
However, the moon will not be visible in all regions. In several Southeast Asian cities, the crescent will set before the sun or will not have been born yet by the time of sunset. For instance, in Jakarta, Indonesia, the moon is expected to set 14 minutes before the sun, while in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it will set 10 minutes prior. Similarly, in Mogadishu, Somalia, the moon is projected to set two minutes before sunset.
Based on these calculations, the astronomical start of Dhu al-Qi’dah 1447 AH is projected to be Saturday, April 18, 2026, though the official start remains subject to the physical sighting confirmed by the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta.
Lunar Visibility Timeline by City
| Location | Visibility Duration | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo, Egypt | 11 Minutes | Visible |
| Mecca, Saudi Arabia | 6 Minutes | Visible |
| Jakarta, Indonesia | -14 Minutes | Not Visible |
| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | -10 Minutes | Not Visible |
| Mogadishu, Somalia | -2 Minutes | Not Visible |
Understanding the Hijri Calendar System
The Hijri calendar, similarly known as the Islamic or lunar calendar, is a lunar system that tracks the phases of the moon to determine the start of each month. A lunar month is defined by the time it takes for the moon to complete one full cycle around the Earth, typically lasting 29 or 30 days.
This system was formally established during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, who designated the migration (Hijra) of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina—occurring on September 24, 622 AD—as the starting point of the calendar. This historical event is why the system is referred to as the “Hijri” calendar.
The twelve months of the lunar year follow a specific sequence: Muharram, Safar, Rabi’ al-Awwal, Rabi’ al-Thani, Jumada al-Ula, Jumada al-Akhira, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qi’dah, and Dhu al-Hijjah. As a lunar calendar, the Hijri year is approximately 11 days shorter than the solar Gregorian year, causing Islamic holidays and months to rotate through different seasons over a 33-year cycle, a phenomenon documented by NASA’s lunar data.
Impact and Next Steps
The confirmation of the start of Dhu al-Qi’dah is particularly significant as We see one of the four sacred months in Islam, during which conflict is traditionally forbidden. It serves as the immediate precursor to Dhu al-Hijjah, the month that hosts the Hajj pilgrimage, the largest annual gathering of Muslims worldwide.
For residents of Egypt and the wider region, the next critical step is the official announcement from the Dar al-Ifta following the Friday evening sightings. These announcements typically occur shortly after sunset on the day of sighting to allow the public to adjust their calendars and prepare for the coming month.
Official updates regarding the sighting results will be released through the Dar al-Ifta’s formal channels and government news agencies. Those seeking confirmation should monitor official religious portals to ensure they have the most accurate date for the beginning of the month.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts or questions about the lunar sighting process in the comments below.
