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Dhul Hijjah crescent captured during the day by Abu Dhabi observatory

| May 17, 2026 3:39 PM CST

Crescent of Dhul Hijjah captured during the day

The crescent of the month of Dhul Hijjah has been captured during the day from Abu Dhabi, by the Khatm Astronomical Observatory affiliated with the International Astronomy Center.

The time of capture is Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 09.20am UAE time.

How will the moon sighting happen in the UAE?

In Abu Dhabi, the moon is expected to set 58 minutes after sunset, at an age of 18 hours and 45 minutes.

National observatories and centres across the UAE will coordinate to carry out the moon sighting. These include:

Khatm Sighting in cooperation with the International Astronomy Centre
Dubai Sighting with the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department
Sharjah Sighting with the Sharjah Space and Astronomy Centre

The process will be conducted using the latest methods and modern technologies.

Crescent visibility zones

UAE's Astronomy Centre published a map showing the visibility zones of the Dhul Hijjah crescent today. UAE falls within the green zone, where the crescent moon is expected to be visible with the naked eye.

Here is what the different colours mean:

Red areas: Crescent visibility is impossible because the moon sets before the sun and/or because conjunction occurs after sunset.
Uncolored areas: Crescent visibility is impossible, whether by telescope or naked eye.
Blue areas: Crescent visibility is possible only using a telescope.
Pink areas: Crescent visibility is possible using a telescope, and it may be visible to the naked eye under perfectly clear atmospheric conditions and by an experienced observer.
Green areas: Crescent visibility is possible with the naked eye.

Are you ready for the moon sighting tonight?

Muslim countries around the world are gearing up to sight the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon tonight.

UAE's Astronomy Centre has said that the crescent will be visible with the naked eye Central and Western Asia, North Africa, and most of the Americas, while sighting will be possible using telescopes from East Asia, South Africa, and southern South America.

If the crescent is sighted tonight, tomorrow marks the first day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, and Wednesday, May 27, 2026, will be the first day of Eid Al Adha.

Stay tuned to our live blog today as we bring you all you need to know about the moon sighting in UAE and across the world, as well as information about Eid Al Adha holidays, travel and more.