New Crescent Society

Bangladesh Moonsighting at Risk: Will New Government Undermine Tradition? We Hope Not!! Imad Ahmed Monday 12 August 2024 6 Safar 1446 Screenshot from Bangladsehi newspaper, Dhaka Tribune As you will have seen in recent events, after mass protests, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh resigned and fled the country. Bangladesh is now in the process of installing a new government, headed by Dr Muhammad Yunus. Whilst it is outside the remit of New Crescent Society to comment on this specific political issue, we wish everyone in the country peace, imaan, prosperity and security.  However, of interest to New Crescent Society are some news stories about the future of Bangladesh's moonsighting. The new government has, in its earliest days in power, announced new leadership of the moonsighting committee, including new scientific advisors to help the moonsighting practices become more 'reliable'.  New Government, New Moon? This seems peculiar.  Bangladesh already has one of the most re...

Imad Ahmed 8 June 2024 / 1 Dhul Hijjah 1445 Saudi false moonsighting.  Do UK Muslims have to follow Saudi's calendar for Hajj? Unfortunately, we've found ourselves in the same situation again! Muslims in the UK will be celebrating Eid, and fasting for Arafah in the UK, on different dates. This is particularly painful on the day of Arafah, where some Muslims will actually be celebrating Eid, and other Muslims will be fasting! At this time of the year we often get the question:  Do Muslims in the UK have to follow Saudi Arabia for Eid al Adha?   The short answer is 'no, you are not  obliged  to follow Saudi. Quite the opposite'.  We have prepared some resources which answer the question, below.  But first - what are the dates for Eid al Adha 2024 / 1445? Dates according to Local Moonsighting Eid:  Monday 17 June / 10 Dhul Hijjah 1442 Fast of Arafat:  Sunday 16 June  / 9 Dhul Hijjah 1442 This is based on local sighting, from the moon we saw...

THE KABA AND STONEHENGE: A MYSTERIOUS CONNECTION?  by Imad Ahmed Stonehenge and the alignment to the Moon Several news articles report today that researchers and tourists will be flooding to Stonehenge in January 2025, because it coincides with a major astronomical event, known as the ' major lunar standstill' . This is when the moonrise and moonset are at their respective farthest points from each other. Pilgrims and researchers will observe the alignment of Stonehenge to the moon's most extreme southern rising point. This alignment only happens once every 18 or 19 years (or 18.6 years to be more precise), and will be livestreamed.  U Mass stone circle - a modern stone circle showing how ancient ones may have worked Dail Mail today Daily Mail BBC today NB: linking to the BBC or the Daily Mail is not an endorsement of either - !! The Kabah and the alignment to the Moon But do you know, the Kabah is also oriented along with the moon? And there is something very significant t...

When is Eid al Fitr 2023? by Imad Ahmed 13 April 2023 22 Ramadan 1444  Q: WHEN IS EID AL FITR 2023 / 1444 AH IN THE UK? A: It’s likely that Eid will be celebrated on two different dates in the UK, as follows: SATURDAY 22 APRIL For those who follow local UK moonsighting.  Also, for those who follow the Eid date of Morocco and other African countries.  FRIDAY 21 APRIL:  For those who follow Saudi.  Please note, although a Friday Eid in Saudi Arabia is scientifically impossible according to moon visibility, we still predict Saudi will celerate Eid on this earlier date based on their previous Eid declarations. More details below NB:  HELP MAKE A VIDEO? I often try and make a video explaining when Eid will be, and why there is a split. Sadly I have been suffering with an illness called Long Covid now for the last 2 years, which has left me bedbound for a lot of the time, and unable to do such activity.  If anyone, reading this information, wants to make a v...

Imad Ahmed 25 March 2022 / 21 Shaban 1443 Q:  When is Ramadan 2022 in the UK?  Some people say Saudi always claim to 'see' the moon too early,  and will begin Ramadan a day too early. Is that true? A: The Ramadan dates are given below, together with a full explanation.  Yes, Saudi might claim to 'see' the moon on Friday 1 April - a day earlier than it is scientifically possible to see - as they have a history of scientifically impossible sightings.  Please be warned, any claim that the crescent has been seen on Friday 1 April from the UK, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia etc is  scientifically impossible.   Our predicted dates for Ramadan For those who want a quick answer, here are our predicted dates for Ramadan. For those who follow   LOCAL UK SIGHTING First fast:  Sunday 3 April For those who follow   FOREIGN-NEWS REPORTS First fast if you follow Morocco, South Africa:  Sunday 3 April First fast if you fo...