Moon sighting in Islam

Moon sighting (Arabic: رؤية الهلال) refers to the act of observing a new crescent moon and is one of the ways to determine the beginning of a lunar month.^{[1][better source needed]} On the Islamic calendar, a month begins with the first sighting of the crescent moon, involving astronomy in Islamic events and festivals, including Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.^[2][3]

Procedure

Iran

The Estehlal Headquarters is the organization and command post based in Iran^[4][5][6] deploys groups to monitor the sky and identify the crescent of the Moon^{[7][8][9][10]} as per the Islamic tradition of Estehlal.^{[clarification needed][citation needed]} This marks the first day of each month on the lunar calendar.^[11] Estehlal Headquarters^[12][13] was established by the decree of Iran's supreme leader, Seyyed Ali Khamenei, to regulate the practice of Estehlal.^[14][15] The Center consists of 150 groups^[16][17][18] with 700 members.^[19][20]

Saudi Arabia

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called on all moon sighters across the Kingdom to participate in sighting the new moon, whether with the naked eye or through binoculars.^{[failed verification]} The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia requested those who observe a crescent moon approach the nearest court and provide their testimony to assist the court in determining the beginning of Ramadan.^[21]

United Kingdom

Whilst Muslim Majority nations usually have a goverment affiliated department, In the Unted Kingdom. It is often private organisations that provide annoucments to the Muslim Community. The leading organisation in the UK is the New Crescent Society which works with various Government subsidiaries such as the Royal Observatory Greenwich, The Mayor Of London/London City Gov, The London Eye, HM almanac Office and many more.^[22][23][24]

See also

• Islamic calendar
• Eid al-Fitr
• Rosh Chodesh
• Noumenia
• New moon
• Lunar phase