Crescent of Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448: Dar al-Ifta determines the astronomical date for the start of the month.
Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta will observe the crescent of Rabi al-Awwal 1448 AH on Wednesday, August 12, while astronomical calculations indicate that the month will begin on Friday, August 14, 2026
Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta is scheduled to observe the crescent of Rabi al-Awwal 1448 AH on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, corresponding to 29 Safar, to determine the beginning of the new Hijri month.
Astronomical calculations indicate that the first day of Rabi al-Awwal 1448 AH will fall on Friday, August 14, 2026.
When Will the Rabi al-Awwal Crescent Be Observed?
Dar al-Ifta is expected to announce the result of its crescent observation after sunset on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
The official announcement will determine the beginning of Rabi al-Awwal according to the Islamic crescent-sighting process.
Rabi al-Awwal is also known as Rabi al-Anwar and is associated in Islamic historical tradition with the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Astronomical Date for the Beginning of Rabi al-Awwal
The Egyptian National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics has announced its astronomical calculations for the beginning of Rabi al-Awwal 1448 AH.
When Will the New Crescent Be Born?
Dr. Mohamed Somida, head of the Solar Department at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, said the new crescent will be born shortly after conjunction at 8:38 p.m. Cairo time on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
The date corresponds to 29 Safar 1448 AH and is the designated observation day.
However, the new crescent will not have been born by sunset in Cairo or in most Arab and Islamic capitals and cities because the conjunction will occur after sunset.
Crescent Visibility in Egypt and Arab Countries
According to the astronomical calculations, the old lunar crescent will set before sunset on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
Moonset in Cairo and Mecca
The crescent is expected to set approximately five minutes before sunset in Mecca and around three minutes before sunset in Cairo.
Across Egypt's other governorates, the difference is expected to range from approximately two to five minutes.
Crescent Visibility Across Arab Capitals
The timing of the crescent's setting will vary from one city to another.
Astronomical calculations indicate that the crescent will set before sunset in several Arab and Islamic capitals and cities, with differences ranging from approximately one to nine minutes.
In Algeria and Tunisia, the crescent is expected to set around sunset. In Marrakech and Fez, it is expected to set approximately one minute after sunset, while in Dakar and Nouakchott it is expected to set about two minutes after sunset.
When Does Rabi al-Awwal 1448 Begin?
Based on astronomical calculations, Thursday, August 13, 2026, will complete the month of Safar 1448 AH.
Accordingly, astronomical calculations indicate that the first day of Rabi al-Awwal 1448 AH will be Friday, August 14, 2026.
The official date, however, remains subject to the crescent observation announcement by Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta.
Rabi al-Awwal 1448
When will Egypt observe the Rabi al-Awwal crescent?
The crescent will be observed on Wednesday evening, August 12, 2026, corresponding to 29 Safar 1448 AH.
When does Rabi al-Awwal begin astronomically?
Astronomical calculations indicate that Rabi al-Awwal will begin on Friday, August 14, 2026.
When will the Rabi al-Awwal crescent be born?
The astronomical new moon will occur after conjunction at 8:38 p.m. Cairo time on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
Is Thursday, August 13, the first day of Rabi al-Awwal?
According to the astronomical calculations, Thursday, August 13, will complete Safar, making Friday, August 14, the expected first day of Rabi al-Awwal.
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