Saudi Arabia Declared New Crescent “Sighted” – But Is This Scientifically Possible?

The declaration of the start of 1 Dhul-Hijjah 1439 AH by Saudi Arabia stirred some controversies around muslim world. In its announcement, the Supreme Judicial Council of Saudi Arabia said that new crescent moon (hilaal) was sighted on the evening… Continue Reading

Official: Saudi Arabia Declares 1 Dhul-Hijjah 1439 AH to Start on Sunday, 12 August 2018

Based on the decision by the Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court yesterday, 1 Dhul-Hijjah 1439 AH starts on Sunday, 12 August 2018. It seems this decision was made based on the Ummul Qura Calendar used there for civil purposes and not based… Continue Reading

Saudi Arabia: 1 Ramadan 1439 H Starts on Thursday, 17 May 2018

Official Saudi Arabia press agency has published announcement by the Saudi’s Supreme Court that there were no positive hilaal (crescent moon) sightings from around the country on the evening of Tuesday, 15 May 2018. Therefore, the Supreme Court decided that… Continue Reading

Official: Saudi Arabia Announced 1 Dhul-Hijja 1438 AH = Wednesday, 23 August 2017

The crescent moon visibility map for Dhul-Hijja 1438 AH on Monday, 21 August 2017. The shaded area indicates that the moon will already set before the sunset that evening, thus will not be visible after maghrib time.

[alert type=”warning”]BREAKING NEWS Updated: 23 August 2017 03:30 Official: Saudi’s Supreme Court has announced that Wednesday, 23 August 2017 is the start of Dhul-Hijja 1438 AH. Thus, Wukuf in Arafah for the pilgrims (Hajj Gathering) will be on Thursday, 31… Continue Reading

Saudi Arabia Abandons Islamic Calendar for Civil Servant Paydays

The beginning of Islamic New Year 1438 AH (anno hegira, after hijra) sees Saudi Arabia, the land of islam, abandons the islamic calendar for base of their civil servant salary payments. Islamic calendar was used since the founding of the… Continue Reading