Walid Nassar
On Sunday evening, January 18, 2026, corresponding to 29 Rajab 1447 AH, Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta will observe the crescent of Sha‘ban through its official Sharia committees spread across the governorates, immediately after sunset.
The result of the sighting is expected to be announced about half an hour later, reflecting Egypt’s continued commitment to the Islamic method of confirming lunar months, while using astronomical calculations as a supportive reference rather than a substitute for visual observation.
According to the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, the monthly conjunction — marking the birth of the new crescent — will occur at 9:53 p.m. Cairo local time on the same day, which is after sunset on the day of observation.
