The International Astronomical Center (IAC) has officially confirmed the start of Safar 1447 AH following the successful sighting of the crescent moon in Abu Dhabi.
At exactly 1:00 PM UAE time on Friday, July 25, the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory captured what is believed to be the first image of the Safar crescent in the Islamic world this year. The moon was photographed during the day, positioned around 8 degrees from the sun—a rare and technically demanding achievement in astronomical observation.
The team responsible for the sighting included astronomers Firas Mohammed, Osama Ghannam, Anas Mohammed, Khalfan Al-Nuaimi, and Mohammed Odeh.
The lunar Islamic calendar follows the cycles of the moon, and the appearance of the new crescent moon signals the end of Muharram and the beginning of Safar, the second month in the Hijri calendar.
