New Delhi, May 27 -- In an awe-inspiring blend of science and spirituality, astronomers in the UAE captured a rare photograph of the crescent moon in broad daylight on Monday, May 26, 2025 - an early signal that the sacred season of Hajj 2025 and Eid-ul-Adha or Eid-ul-Azha (also known as Bakra Eid, Bakrid, Bakhreid, Eid-ul-Zuha, Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban, Qurban Bayarami or the Feast of Sacrifice) is just around the corner.

The image was taken by the Al Khatm Astronomical Observatory, part of the International Astronomy Centre, at precisely 11:40 am UAE time. At the time of the capture, the newborn moon was positioned just 12 degrees away from the sun and was a mere 18 hours old.

In astronomical terms, that is an infant crescent, still ah...