The head of the Astronomical and Geophysical Research Institute in Egypt, Taha Rabah, revealed today, Saturday, the date of the first day of Eid al-Adha. Rabah stated, "According to the astronomical calculations conducted by the Solar Research Laboratory at the institute, the first day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah for the current lunar year 1445 will coincide with Friday, June 7." Thus, the first day of Eid al-Adha will be astronomically on Sunday, June 17.
He added in a statement that "the crescent of the month of Dhul-Hijjah will be born exactly at 2:39 PM Cairo time on Thursday, the 29th of Dhul-Qi'dah for the current lunar year 1445, which corresponds to June 6." He explained that "the new crescent will remain in the sky of Mecca for 11 minutes, and in Cairo for 18 minutes after sunset that day (the day of observation). In the governorates of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the new crescent will remain in their skies for durations ranging from 12 to 20 minutes."
Rabah noted that "in the capitals and cities of the Arab and Islamic world, the new crescent will remain after sunset that day for durations ranging between 1 and 28 minutes, except for Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta where the moon sets before sunset by 9 and 14 minutes, respectively."
