Mark your calendars and look to the skies—because on May 27, 2025, the UAE Council for Fatwa is gearing up for one of its most awaited lunar moments of the year. In the majestic setting of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the council will convene to determine the moon sighting that heralds the start of Dhul-Hijjah, the final and holiest month of the Islamic calendar. This isn’t just a moonwatching party—it’s a spiritual summit where astronomy meets tradition, and faith meets science.
The meeting is part of an annual tradition rooted in Islamic jurisprudence, where scholars and astronomers join forces to confirm the new crescent moon. Their decision marks the official start of Dhul-Hijjah, setting into motion a spiritual chain of events: the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj and the celebration of Eid Al-Adha. To ensure accuracy, the council will carefully review detailed astronomical data alongside public moon sighting reports submitted from across the country.
This fusion of modern celestial calculations with age-old visual confirmation is a beautiful representation of how the UAE balances heritage with high-tech precision. Public observatories, astronomy experts, and local communities all play a role in this moon mission—because spotting that sliver of a crescent isn’t just about dates; it’s about devotion.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a spiritual and architectural marvel, provides the perfect backdrop for this significant moment. Here, under its gleaming domes and against the silhouette of minarets, the UAE will look skyward in anticipation. For Muslims across the Emirates and beyond, the results of this gathering signal when to begin spiritual preparations, charity, sacrifice, and pilgrimage.
So, whether you’re an amateur stargazer or just eager to know when Eid will fall, keep your eyes peeled and your binoculars ready. As the council prepares for its celestial deliberation, the UAE once again blends piety with progress, proving that even in a tech-savvy era, the moon still has the final word. 🌙
