AN UUCSA COMMUNITY NOTICE

 

Alhamdulillah, we are once again on the eve of the month of Shawwal. In South Africa, the hilāl for Shawwal 1446 has to be sighted after sunset on Sun, 30 March 2025, in-sha-Allah. Seeking to sight the hilāl is part of Dīn and a Sunnah of our beloved Nabī Muhammad (SAW). The United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) therefore urges the Muslim public to go out and seek the hilāl of Shawwal.

 

In the event of a sighting, it is vital to note aspects such as the exact time of the sighting and the orientation of the hilal. The sighting should be reported to the relevant local Ulama or the Ulama organisation closest to you.

 

In order to determine the acceptability of a reported sighting, UUCSA shall apply Shar‘ī criteria that will take into account all relevant aspects. It is therefore important to note the following:

 

1. UUCSA’s announcement of its official decision may be subject to the latest time of moonset in South Africa.

2. The official announcement shall be made as soon as possible, via designated channels.

 

3. The public is urged to refrain from relying upon and broadcasting unofficial reports of sightings.

 

4. UUCSA accepts naked-eye sightings, within the borders of South Africa only.

 

In the event of confirmed reports of sightings in South Africa, Ramadan will end with 29 days and Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed on Monday, 31 March 2025. Otherwise, Eid-ul-Fitr will be on Tuesday, 1 April 2025.

 

May Allah accept the ibādah of each one of us, and grant us a blessed and joyous Eid. Āmīn.

 

Released by:

UUCSA Hilaal Committee
27 Ramadan 1446/28 March 2025

 

 

The Crescent of Shawwal 1446 and Eid-ul-Fitr: Specific Considerations

There are several important guidelines that UUCSA would like the Muslim public to take into consideration regarding this sighting.

 

The astronomical information for the sighting of the hilāl of Shawwal 1446 on the eve of Sunday 30 March 2025, indicates that this will be a relatively difficult crescent to sight, for the following reasons:

 

· While the age of the moon is generally regarded as the best indicator of the visibility of the crescent moon, it is not always so. This crescent will be a little over 29 hours old, but other parameters are not very favourable for sighting.

 

· An important factor is the altitude of the moon at sunset. Generally, crescents lower than 8 degrees at sunset are not sighted. The Shawwal crescent will be only approximately 7 degrees at sunset.

 

· Another important factor is the moonset lag— the time between sunset and moonset. A lag time of 40 minutes or so allows enough time for the crescent to be sighted. The Shawwal crescent has a lag time of less than 40 minutes, which makes it more difficult to sight.

· The Northern parts of the country are more favourable for sighting, as the crescent will be visible for longer. Limpopo, the North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the northern parts of the Northern Cape will have the most favourable sighting conditions.

 

· Since the time between sunset and moonset is minimal, sighting should be attempted soon after sunset, as the crescent will set quickly. Sighting attempts should start as soon as 15 minutes after sunset.

 

· Nevertheless, in spite of social media messages going viral to the contrary, this crescent can be sighted in South Africa, and we appeal to the Ummah to follow the Blessed Sunnah of our Beloved Nabī (SAW) and go out to sight the Shawwal crescent.

 

Released by:

 

UUCSA Hilaal Committee
27 Ramadan 1446/28 March 2025

 

 

General Procedures Applicable to Every New Moonsighting

Please Note: The following moon-sighting and reporting procedures are applicable to every sighting of a new crescent,
as coordinated by the United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA).

 

1. Note the condition of the horizon such as being clear, cloudy, or partly cloudy.

 

2. Record the actual time of the sighting.

 

3. Note the location of the crescent, whether it is to the right-hand side or to the left, of the area where the sun had set?

 

4. Note the shape/orientation of the new moon which could be as follows:

 

 

5. Record the number of individuals from the group that had physically sighted the crescent themselves.

 

6. If the Imam of your community is present at the place of sighting, he will promptly complete the required procedures for testimony [shahādah] .

 

7. If the Imam is not present then all the individuals that had sighted the crescent are required to proceed to the closest masjid and give testimony, in person in the presence of the Imam.

 

8. The Imam shall ask certain questions related to the sighting as well as personal details of the person(s) that sight the crescent. The details are required for the purpose of shahādah.