Was the Rajab moon really sighted in the UAE, and why is there disagreement over its start?

According to UAE-based astronomy expert Mohammed Shawkat Odah, claims of sighting the Rajab crescent on Saturday evening (December 20) were scientifically impossible anywhere in the Arab region—whether by the naked eye or telescopes—so such reports should not be accepted. He stressed that science is meant to support, not replace, traditional moon sighting, helping avoid confusion and division when visibility contradicts established astronomical facts. While the crescent was captured through specialised astronomical imaging before sunset in places like Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, these methods are not recognised for officially starting lunar months. This year, several countries refused to declare Rajab without a sighting that was both religiously valid and scientifically possible, signalling a growing awareness among religious authorities and opening the door to a more predictable, science-informed Islamic calendar. Do you think combining astronomy with traditional sighting can help reduce confusion around Islamic dates?

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