The Shaaban moon was visible to astronomers in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. Accordingly, Friday, January 31st, will mark the formal start of the upcoming Islamic month. The holy month of Ramadan is preceded by Shaaban.
The crescent for the new month of Shaaban in 1446 AH (Hijri year) was sighted, according to a Thursday announcement from the UAE's International Astronomy Centre (IAC).
It was captured on camera around 9.30 a.m. from Abu Dhabi's Al Khatem Astronomical Observatory.
The eighth month of the Islamic calendar, Shaaban, is when Muslims worldwide get ready for the holy month of Ramadan.
Depending on when the crescent is seen, the Islamic months can last 29 or 30 days. Official moon-sighting committees will meet on the 29th day of Shaaban to decide the official start date of Ramadan. The following day marks the start of the holy month if it is sighted on this day.
Ramadan is anticipated to begin on March 1st this year, though this still relies on the moon sighting.
According to the IAC, January 31 is the beginning day of Shaaban in a number of nations.
