The crescent is a primary shape in the Ramadan decorations that permeate homes and public spaces. The National
The crescent is a primary shape in the Ramadan decorations that permeate homes and public spaces. The National
The crescent is a primary shape in the Ramadan decorations that permeate homes and public spaces. The National
The crescent is a primary shape in the Ramadan decorations that permeate homes and public spaces. The National

'Hilal': Arabic word for crescent moon is a symbol of transformation and beauty


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

The crescent moon has a famously lofty place in Arab and Islamic culture. A symbol of transformation, it signals the beginning and end of every month of the Hijri calendar.

Even now, astronomers and religious scholars wait for the arcing sliver of silver to appear in the night sky before announcing the beginning of Ramadan. The crescent is also a primary element in the Ramadan decorations that permeate homes and public spaces.

Hilal is Arabic for crescent. Al hilal al jadeed is the new crescent that signals the first of the lunar phases. The waxing crescent is also known as hilal mutazayid. Hilal akhir asshahr, meanwhile, refers to the crescent at the end of the lunar cycle. Hilal mutanaqis is a waning crescent.

There is a belief that the crescent moon became known as hilal because of the cheers people sounded at the sight of it. Looking at one of the Arabic words for cheer, hallal, it is easy to see how it may have influenced the hilal.

Officials use a telescope to scan the horizon for a crescent moon that will determine the beginning of Ramadan. AP
Officials use a telescope to scan the horizon for a crescent moon that will determine the beginning of Ramadan. AP

Hilal also has several meanings that, although they may not be colloquially used today, point to the vast symbolism associated with the crescent moon. It denotes the first rains after a dry spell and possibly borrows the name from the crescent to signal new beginnings. It also once referred to the last bits of water in a rain, perhaps as a nod to the waning crescent. A malnourished camel was also called a hilal. The bit of wood or metal that attaches two parts of a saddle is also known as hilal.

Much like the English counterpart, hilal is also used to describe the shapes of things. It has also become associated with humanitarian efforts, notably with the Red Crescent or Al Hilal Al Ahmar.

Hilal is also often used as a name, with connotations of beauty and radiance, much like the crescent moon it is inspired by. Famous figures include the Emirati footballer Hilal Saeed. Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club, which competes in the kingdom’s pro league, also derives its name from the crescent.

  • The Arabic word for sign is aya. All photos: The National
    The Arabic word for sign is aya. All photos: The National
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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1

Results:

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: Eghel De Pine, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Sheaar, Szczepan Mazur, Saeed Al Shamsi

6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA) Group 3 Dh500,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Torch, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,600m | Winner: Forjatt, Chris Hayes, Nicholas Bachalard

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,400m | Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Ridha ben Attia

7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Qader, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roaulle

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

While you're here
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Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Scores

Wales 74-24 Tonga
England 35-15 Japan
Italy 7-26 Australia

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final:

First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2

Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)

UAE players with central contracts

Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.

Updated: February 28, 2025, 6:01 PM