UAE: Moon For Rabi Al Awwal Not Spotted 3-Day Weekend For Prophet's Birthday?

The crescent for Rabi Al Awwal was not spotted in the UAE on Saturday, August 23, the UAE's astronomy centre announced on Sunday, August 24.

This indicates that the new Islamic month will begin on Monday, August 25, as Safar completes 30 days during the Hijri year 1447 AH.

The sighting of the Moon confirms the Prophet (PBUH)'s birthday will fall on Friday, September 5, which corresponds to 12 Rabi Al Awwal. This could translate to a three-day holiday for UAE residents, who observe usual weekends on Saturday and Sunday.

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No official announcement has been made from UAE authorities regarding the public holiday yet.

The centre stated the sighting was not possible from the Arab region on Saturday, neither with the naked eye nor using a telescope, nor even using ultra-high-power astronomical imaging technology.

Regarding the sighting of the crescent on Sunday, August 24, the authority said it is possible with the naked eye easily in most Arab countries, while it is possible with difficulty in Arab countries located in North Asia.

The first day of Rabi' al-Awwal is on Sunday in the following countries:

• Iraq

• Saudi Arabia

• Qatar

• Bahrain

• Kuwait

• Palestine

• Egypt

• Tunisia

The first day of Rabi' al-Awwal is on Monday in the following countries:

• Indonesia

• Malaysia

• Brunei

• Singapore

• India

• Bangladesh

• Pakistan

• Iran

• Oman

• United Arab Emirates

• Jordan

• Libya

• Algeria

• Morocco

• Mauritania

On Friday, August 22, a team from Al-Khatim Astronomical Observatory managed to capture a photo of the crescent marking the end of the Hijri month of Safar 1447AH despite dusty and partly cloudy weather conditions. However, despite the bleak sighting, it was hard to predict when will Rabi Al Awwal begin.

The sighting of the crescent of Rabi Al Awwal is of great significance to Muslims who celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Rabi Al Awwal 12. The occasion is also a public holiday in many countries, including the UAE.

On the 29th of every Hijri month, the UAE moon sighting committee convenes to observe the crescent and declare the commencement of the next Islamic month.

The Hijri (Islamic) calendar is based on lunar sightings, meaning the phases of the moon determine its months. Each month begins with the sighting of the new moon.

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