Doha: Tuesday, June 15, will mark the first of Muharram and the first day of the Hijri year 1448 AH, according to precise astronomical calculations, Qatar Calendar House (QCH) said in a statement. According to Qatar News Agency, the statement explained that the determination of the beginnings and endings of Hijri months is based on the Moon's movement in its orbit around the Earth, while Gregorian months are linked to the Earth's movement in its orbit around the Sun. Executive Director of QCH, Dr. Faisal Al Ansari, stated that the crescent of Muharram 1448 AH will be born on Monday (the sighting day) at 5:55 a.m. Doha local time (2:55 a.m. GMT). He added that the crescent will set after sunset on the sighting day over Qatar, with a duration of about 40 minutes, and that this duration increases progressively further west.
