UAE Fatwa Council to Convene Shawwal Crescent Sighting on Saturday

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

The UAE Crescent Sighting Committee will meet on Saturday evening, 29 March 2025, which is the 29th of Ramaḍan 1446 AH, at Al-Hosn in Abu Dhabi. This meeting is important because it will decide when the new month of Shawwāl begins, which means the end of Ramaḍan and the start of Eid al-Fitr.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel  

The meeting will be led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, who is the President of the UAE Council for Fatwa, along with Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, the Vice President of the council. Many Islamic scholars, star watchers, and law experts will also be part of the meeting. They will check if the new moon can be seen and decide the correct day for Eid.

The meeting will happen at Al-Hosn, which is a very old and well-known place in Abu Dhabi. This place was chosen because it is a special landmark and has been used for big events in the past. It is an important part of the country’s history and culture.

To make sure the moon is seen properly, the UAE has built five big places for watching the sky. These places have powerful telescopes and other tools to help experts see the moon clearly. They are in different parts of the country so that even if the sky is cloudy in one place, the moon can be seen from another.

The UAE has also worked with many smart and skilled people from different space and star-watching centers. These experts help in checking the moon and making sure that the sighting is true and correct.

The committee has also invited people from the community to help in watching the moon. There are some people, called al-Shuwayfah, who have been looking for the new moon with their eyes for many years. These people have been asked to take part. If they see the moon, they can tell the officials, who will check and confirm their reports.

For the second time, the UAE will also use special flying cameras to help in seeing the new moon. These flying machines will go 300 meters high in the sky and take clear pictures of the moon. This will help experts see the moon better, especially if the sky is not clear. The latest computer tools will also be used to check the pictures and confirm if the moon is really there.

There will be full news coverage of this event. This means TV, radio, and online news will give updates about the moon sighting. People will be able to see how the experts watch the moon, how the decision is made, and when Eid al-Fitr will be announced.

By using both old traditions and new science, the UAE makes sure that the moon sighting is done in the best way. This shows that the country respects Islamic traditions while also using modern tools to make the process clear and easy for everyone. The final decision about Eid will be shared with the public after the committee finishes its meeting on Saturday night.