Page 75 - UAE FATWA PR REPORT - MARCH 2025 (ENGLISH)

4/3/25, 4:32 PM UAE Council for Fatwa to convene Shawwal Crescent Sighting Committee on Saturday evening

The Shawwāl Crescent Sighting Committee 1446 AH will convene its meeting on Saturday
evening, 29 March 2025 (29 Ramaḍan 1446 AH), at the historic Al-Hosn site in Abu Dhabi. The
meeting will be chaired by His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, President of the UAE
Council for Fatwa, and His Excellency Dr Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Vice President of the Council,
with the participation of experts in the fields of Sharīʿah, astronomy and law.
The council selected the historic Al-Hosn landmark as the location for the committee's meeting,
drawing inspiration from its national and cultural significance and its position as a centre for
official, national, and religious events in the history of the UAE.

Five advanced national observatories, strategically distributed across the country, have been
equipped with the latest smart technologies. The observatories include: Al-Khatim Astronomical
Observatory (Marṣad al-Khatim al-Falakī), Jabal Hafeet Observatory (Marṣad Jabal Ḥafīt), Dubai
Crescent Observatory (Marṣad Dubayy li-l-Ahilla), Sharjah Astronomical Observatory (Marṣad al-
Shāriqa al-Falakī) and Ras Al Khaimah Observatory (Marṣad Rās al-Khaimah). These
observatories will ensure the accuracy of the sighting process the highest levels of efficiency in
observation.
In a move that enhances institutional integration, coordination has been established with
several astronomical centres and agencies across the country through strategic partnerships
and cooperation agreements aimed at exchanging expertise and strengthening the governance
of the observation system, in line with the UAE’s leadership in this field.
The committee has invited all members of the community, particularly those known as al-
Shuwayfah (traditional crescent moon sighters), to participate in the crescent moon sighting
after sunset on the 29th day of Ramaḍan and to submit their testimonies to the committee via
official communication channels.
In a significant technological advancement, several drones will be deployed from Al-Khatim
Astronomical Observatory, which are equipped with high-precision lenses that will rise more
than 300 metres above ground, directed toward the location of the moon based on precise
astronomical calculations. This approach, which the council will deploy for the second
consecutive time, aims to overcome challenges that may obstruct visual sighting and ensure the
atmospheric clarity needed for accurate observation. Additionally, innovative AI-powered
technologies will be used to analyse images, process data, and determine the location of the
crescent's birth and the possibility of its visibility with precision.
Comprehensive media coverage will accompany these efforts to document the observation
process, highlight community participation, and showcasing the UAE’s leadership in organising
and sighting the crescent in accordance with the highest standards.

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