Dr. Taha Rabih, head of the National Institute for Astronomical and Geophysical Research in Egypt, stated that the beginning of the month of Dhu al-Qi'dah for the current Hijri year 1445 will astronomically correspond to next Thursday, with a duration of 29 days. Rabih added in a statement today, Saturday, that the crescent moon of Dhu al-Qi'dah will be born at 5:23 AM local Cairo time on Wednesday, the 29th of Shawwal, which corresponds to May 8 of this year, the "day of sighting."
Rabih clarified that the new crescent will remain visible for 31 minutes after sunset on that day, the "day of sighting," in Mecca, and for 38 minutes in Cairo. In the rest of the governorates of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the new crescent will remain in the sky for durations ranging between 32 to 40 minutes. He continued that in the capitals and cities of the Arab and Islamic world, the new crescent will remain after sunset that day for durations ranging from 8 to 48 minutes.
The Astronomical Institute's statement indicated that the beginning of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah 1445 will be astronomically on Friday, June 7, 2024. The statement also noted that the Day of Arafah for the year 1445 will astronomically be on Saturday, June 15, 2024, and Eid al-Adha will be astronomically on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
