The Hijri calendar, also known as the Islamic or lunar calendar, holds great significance for Muslims. It is a key component in determining important dates and religious observances, including the start of Ramadhan, the two Eids (Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha), and the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Based on the phases of the moon, the Hijri calendar is a reflection of the cyclical nature of time in Islam, reminding Muslims of their connection to the natural world and their religious duties.
[table “7” not found /]Taken from UK EU Hilal Forum
Criteria for determination of new Islamic month
According to the perspectives of the Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali jurists, the timing disparities worldwide do not impact the sighting of the moon, except in cases where excessive distance results in a time variance exceeding 12 hours. Consequently, this discrepancy may lead to a divergence between the observation dates during the day and night. Hence, in regions spanning Asia, Europe, Africa and America, sighting the crescent by any recognised observatory will be deemed valid.
In the United Kingdom, adherence is to the British observatory, which applies a six-tier visibility classification system denoted by letters A through F. Tiers A to C typically signify the commencement of a new Islamic month on a subsequent day. The UK and Europe Hilal Forum, guided by these observatory assessments, will proactively announce the dates of crescent sightings, ensuring that precise announcements are issued a year in advance. Furthermore, it is reiterated that the representatives of the UK and Europe Hilal Forum will consistently announce the advent of new lunar months and sightings of the Hilal each month.
