Revive the Sunnah to go outside and look for the new crescent moon in the evening sky that will mark the beginning of Ramadan.

Join us in the MCC parking lot at sunset (7 p.m.) on Sunday, March 10, and join in the excitement when the young crescent moon (hilal) ushers in the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Due to rain and cloudy weather, we will not have the Tri-Valley Stargazers on site.

523 Southern Halal BBQ & Halal Bites of Chicago food trucks will sell dinners from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

MCC adheres to the traditional principle that Islamic lunar months begin and end based on confirmed, verified naked-eye sightings of the new crescent moon globally. MCC will confirm the start of Ramadan on the evening of March 10 in its newsletter (subscribe at https://mcceastbay.org/newsletter).

• If the moon is sighted, the first night of Taraweeh will be after Isha (9 p.m.) on Sunday, March 10, and the first day of fasting will be Monday, March 11.
• If the moon is not sighted, then the first night of Taraweeh will be after Isha (9 p.m.) on Monday, March 11, and the first day of fasting will be Tuesday, March 12.

Both the MCC website (mcceastbay.org) and the MCC’s automated phone menu (925-485-1786) will announce the start of Ramadan by 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 10.

Since sunset will be at 7:14, we will likely be able to see the new moon by about 8.

MCC observes the beginning and end of months following the sighting of the crescent moon.

The du’a to recite if the crescent is sighted:

اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالأَمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ، والسَّلامَةِ والإِسْلامِ، وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضَى، رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكَ اللهُ

Allaahumma ahillahu ‛alaynaa bil-amni wal-eemaani, was-salaamati wal-islaami, wat-tawfeeqi limaa tuḥibbu watarḍaa, rabunaa wa rabbuk-allaahu-

O Allah, let the crescent loom above us in peace and faith, safety and Islam, and in agreement with all that You love and pleases You. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah.

(Source: Sunan Al- Tirmidhi)

Qari Amar Bellaha will also be in the Hayward Hills this Wednesday evening to see the crescent moon. If sighted, he will read the special dua from high atop the hills and head down to lead the Taraweeh prayers on Wednesday evening at 9:15 p.m. He will be live streaming his moonsighting atop the Hayward Hills at https://mcceastbay.org/live