Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta is set to determine the start of Jumada Al-Akhirah, the sixth month in the Islamic calendar, today. The decision will be made after conducting a thorough sighting of the crescent moon through its committees spread across the country. The results of the sighting will be announced after the Maghreb prayer. This process aims to establish the beginning of the new Islamic month.
The National Institute for Astronomical and Geophysical Research, under the leadership of Dr. Bassem Nabawi, has provided detailed astronomical calculations regarding the birth of the crescent moon for Jumada Al-Akhirah. A team of researchers at the Solar Research Laboratory, led by Dr. Manar Abbadi and supervised by Dr. Mohamed Samida, prepared these calculations. According to these calculations, the crescent moon will be born on the morning of the sighting day.
The Institute noted that the moon will set before sunset in Arab and Islamic capitals and cities, with intervals ranging from one minute to 20 minutes. An exception is Jakarta, where the moon and sun will set at the same time. Conversely, the calculations showed that the moon will set after sunset in some African cities. For example, in Dakar, Senegal, the moon will set about six minutes after the sun, in Nouakchott, Mauritania, about three minutes after, and in Mogadishu, Somalia, about five minutes after.
Based on the astronomical calculations announced by the Institute, Tuesday, 10 November 2026, will be the last day of Jumada Al-Awwal for the year 1448 AH. Consequently, the first day of Jumada Al-Akhirah will be Wednesday, 11 November 2026, according to astronomical predictions. However, the legal ruling from Dar Al-Ifta, through its specialized committees, will officially determine the start of the new Islamic month.
The process of sighting the crescent moon and determining the beginning of the Islamic month is significant in the Muslim calendar. It involves religious and scientific committees working together to ensure the accurate identification of the new month. Dar Al-Ifta's announcement will be made after careful consideration of the sighting results.
The determination of the Islamic calendar is crucial for planning religious and cultural events. The start of Jumada Al-Akhirah will influence the scheduling of various Islamic occasions and activities. Dar Al-Ifta's role in this process is essential in providing an official and authoritative declaration.
The collaboration between Dar Al-Ifta and the National Institute for Astronomical and Geophysical Research highlights the integration of religious and scientific approaches in establishing the Islamic calendar. This joint effort ensures that the determination of the new month is both accurate and in accordance with Islamic principles.
Key points
- Dar Al-Ifta to announce start of Jumada Al-Akhirah today after crescent moon sighting.
- Astronomical calculations predict 11 November as first day of Jumada Al-Akhirah.
- Determination of Islamic month crucial for planning religious and cultural events.
Reporting sources
- Sawt Al-Umma · Sawt Al-Umma
