International Astronomical Center

So far, the earliest sighting of the crescent was on Thursday 21 December 2006 from Australia, the crescent was also seen on this day from: UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Nigeria and USA.

Wednesday 20 December 2006:

• Indonesia:
  1. Not Seen: ICOP member, Mr. Susiknan Azhari said: "The hilal for zulhijjah was not sighted in beach Parangkusumo Yogyakarta-Indonesia (Wednesday, 20 december 2006). In the evening is rains. MUHAMMADIYAH (the big Islamic organization) has announced through its formal announcement letter (maklumat), number 15/M.I.M/1.0//2006, that 1 Zulhijjah 1427 is corresponding to Friday dec 22, 2006. 9 Zulhijjah 1427 H = Saturday, dec 30, 2006, and Idul Adha 1427 = Sunday, dec 31, 2006."

  2. Not Seen: ICOP member, Mr. Mutoha MMC said: "Today (20/12) is the day of observation for Zulhijjah crescent in my country (29 Zulqoidah). We, the Comitee for Hilal Sighting of Yogyakarta region (about 50 persons) trip to Parangkusumo Beach just to confirm that the crescent not sighted because it was below the horizon at sunset time. Moonset:17.45 LT Sunset:17.54 LT. Determining this condition after evaluation meeting for hilal observation, Indonesian Ministry of Religion Affairs has officially announced that Eidul Adha for Indonesia will be Sunday, 31 December 2006. Insya Allah."

• South Africa: Not Seen: ICOP member Dr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim said: "The Hilaal was not sighted this Wednesday evening, 20 December 2006, and the end of the 29th day of Dhul Qada 1427 AH, anywhere in Southern Africa. The month of Dhul Qada will now be extended to 30 days and the 1st Dhul Hijjah will correspond to Friday, 22 December 2006."

• Malawi: Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Y.M.Lambat said: "There was no sighting in Malawi."

• USA: Cloudy: ICOP member, Mr. Belal Gharaibeh from (Lexington, KY) mentioned it was cloudy.

Thursday 21 December 2006:

• Australia: Seen: ICOP member Mr. Afroz Ali said: "The crescent was sighted in Australia on Thursday 21st December, by many independent witnesses."

• Pakistan: Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Fahim Hashmi said: "The Moon of Zil Hajj has not been sighted across the country today (Thursday); accordingly, the first date of Zil Hajj would be on December 23. The Eidul Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) would be celebrated on January 1st."

• Bangladesh: Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Abm Hassan said: "Moon was not sighted in Bangladesh in 21 St Dec, Thursday. So 23rd Dec will be the Ist Zill-hijj."

• UAE: Seen: ICOP member Mohammad Odeh said: "Equipped with 10" Meade LX200 computerized telescope I was able to see the crescent with big difficulty through the telescope. My wife and one of the attendees were also able to see the crescent through the telescope. No serious attempt was done to see the crescent by binoculars, but I can confirm that it was not possible to be seen by naked eyes! I was not observing from optimum location! I was observing from Abu-Dhabi city from the sea side!"

• Iran:
  1. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Alireza Mehrani said:
     Date: THU December 21, 2006.
     Location: Esfahan, Iran (32:37N 51:35E).
     Time Zone: +3.5. Observer: Alireza Mehrani.
     The western horizon was hazy & partly cloudy.
     Sunset: at 16:57(LT).
     The first crescent observation by 15x80 binoculars: at 17:16 (LT).
     Arc Length: 105 (2-5.5).
     The Last crescent observation by 15x80 binoculars: at 17:25 (LT).
     

  2. Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. M.Atighi said: "This Crescent was not sighted in Tehran-Iran in 21 Dec, because the Sky was cloudy ."

  3. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Mohammad Zahed Aram mentioned that he didn't see the crescent by binoculars, and he added: "There was a very thin layer of haze and my binocular is 16*50."

  4. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Hossein Janghorbani said:

     "From: The Astronomy and Geophysics Centre Of Shahreza
     Reporter: Hossein Janghorbani, manager of the center
     This Centre is located in Iran, Isfahan, Shahreza)

     The reporting of new moon crescent observation of Thul Hijjah

     We could see this crucial new moon crescent at Dec. 21 .2006 (30/9/1385according to Calendar of Iran), On Thursday night in a region located 40 kilometers far from shahreza to Semirom called khorusgelu with these location parameters:
     Lat: 31° 38' N
     Lon: 51° 42' E
     Ele: 2581 m
     Tz: +3.5

     The region was covered with snow and group surprised with very cold weather and snow to the knee that resulted in not to take a beautiful picture from the crescent. There was no cloud in the sky and the west horizon was covered with about 2 degrees from dust.

     - Our equipment:
     two binoculars 15 × 70 installed on tripod
     one binoculars 30 × 60
     one compass

     Population of our group: 26 persons

     -Sun rise according to software: 17:03
     -Sun rise observed: 16:56
     

     - The first observation of crescent parameters:
     By: Ali Janghorbani
     Through: 15x70 binocular
     Time: 17:14 LT
     Moon Alt: 3.890
     Elongation: 12.537
     

     The group was divided two and all of them observed the crescent. It is notable we tried but the crescent was not visible to the naked eye.

     The group members:
     1. Hojjatollah Khayyami
     2. Rahmatollah Saheban
     3. Omidali Kazemi
     4. Hussein Arefan
     5. Mohammad Ziyai
     6. Mojtaba Dehghan
     7. Seyyedmohsen Mirtaleb
     8. Mohammadjavad Nikeghbal
     9. Reza Janghorbani
     10. Ali Janghorbani
     11. Hossein Janghorbani
     12. Nasrin Karimi
     13. Nafise Karimi
     14. Farimah Gerami
     15. Shakiba Sabzevari
     16. Maede Kamyabi
     17. Mina Kamyabi
     18. Moniresadat Mirtaleb
     19. Zahra Parsaniya
     20. Maryam Parsaniya
     21. Nasjm Yusefi
     22. Marziye Fallahi
     23. Elham Forudi
     24. Mandana Rezaiye
     25. Parisa Naderi
     26. Andishe Mirzai
     

     Pictures are attached"

     Thursday 21 December 2006
     Click on the Photo for Larger View
     By ICOP member Mr. Hossein Janghorbani.

• Kuwait: Seen: ICOP member Mr. Hussain Khushaish said: "In Kuwait on at Kabad desert , on Thursday 21 dec 2006, I could sight the crescent only with 20*60 binocular, the order of the events was as follows : sun diappeared behind a non leveled western horizon at 16:54, our local sunset at 16:55,the crescent first seen with binocular at 17:03 ( thats 8 minutes after sunset ) ,the crescent last seen with binocular almost touching the horizon at 17:32, our local moonset at 17:35. The western horizon was very clear since we had 2-3 days of rain then 2 days of cold north wind. Venus was a very good indicator to the location of the crescent ( 4.5 degrees to the lower left side of vinus -i.e 3 fingers -). Moon data at sunset topo age 22h:19m lag 40 min alt 6:01 deg width 23 arc sec ill 1.21 % elong 12:36 deg .Only 5 out 9 persons could sight the crescent which means that it was also diffecult to see althoug we rarly have such good weather conditions in Kuwait. Also I so the crescent on Tuesday morning with naked eyes of course with the help of Jupiter and Mars."

• Yemen: Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Saleh Belfakih mentioned that he didn't see the crescent by naked eyes despite the clear skies.

• Oman: Not Seen: Mr. Mohammed Al Bussaidi said: "Despite that the Moon set 43 minutes after sunset, we could not see the crescent Moon. Venus just above the crescent was seen easily and clearly but not the crescent. There was few clouds at western horizon. Oman changed to follow Saudia. Dhu lQa'adah was only 28 days."

• Saudi Arabia:
  1. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Saleh Al-Saab said: "It was so difficult seeing the crescent today, forget about the day before !!!!" Mr. Al-Saab mentioned that he was able to see the crescent by 15X60 binoculars only.

  2. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Majid Marzani said: "The crescent was seen by binoculars in Madineh in Saudi Arabia."

  3. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Anwar Al-Muhammad said: "I with 10 parsons tried to sight the new crescent of Thulhejjah-27, 40 minutes before the time of sun set in Thursday, 21 Dec 2006, in the eastern area of Saudi Arabia “Al-Aujam- 26:33N, 49:47E” at the observatory of Qatif Astronomy Society (QAS). We used a computerized 10” LX-200, GPS, telescope. It was first seen at 17:10 through the eyepiece. No body of them could see the crescent even through the viewfinder. The western horizon was clear, so we could see the sun at a time of sunset. Its picture is available at QAS web site: www.qasweb.org and on the forum: http://qasweb.org/qasforum/index.php?showtopic=5109&st=0&#entry16434"

  4. Not Seen: ICOP member Dr. Khalid Alzaaak said: "I Did not see the crescent by naked eye from Qassim."

• Algeria:
  1. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Bankih Kacem said: "The new crescent of Dul Hija 1427 was seen, from Merkich station, by 14 persons using 04 binoculars (20x60, 07x50, 08x40 and 20x50) first at 17:52 and by naked eyes at 18:07 by only 04 persons."

  2. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Houcine Ch-aissa said: "The crescent of Dul Hija 1427 was seen by binocular and by naked eys." ,(15) persens have observed Dul Hija 1427 crescent from n'tissa station in Ghardaia using tow binoculars (07x50 and 20x50) first at 17:48 , almost (08) persons have seen the crescent by naked eyes the first was at 17:55 . member of the club CHIKH AMMI SAID AMATEUR OF ASTRONOMIE. Jupiter was seen by naked eyes after the Apparent Sunset ."

• Morocco: Partly Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. Othman Fadli mentioned it was partly cloudy.

• Bosnia and Herzegovi: Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. Kemal Sehbajraktarevic said: "Sky over Bosnia was totaly cloudy, therefore the real begining of the Zul Hidzdze should be day after tommorow (Saturday). Also, all calculations show that today is not posiblle to see crescent from this location by naked eye, and that it could be seen tommorow. Islamic Comunity in Bosnia declared the Thursday as the begining of the Zul Hidzdze, based on the moonset after sunset criteria. That means that the error this year in our calendar is two days. My God help us!"

• Nigeria:

  1. Seen: ICOP member Mr. Usman Dukku said: "13 of us, members of the Moonsighting Society of Nigeria, gathered at the sighting site, in the outskirts of Bauchi, and we saw the moon 20 minutes after sunset. We as well received phone calls from our colleagues in Dukku(located about 150 km northeast of Bauchi)confirming sighting in that town too. Meanwhile the Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs has announced Thusaday, 21 December, as First of Dhul Hijjah."

  2. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Muhammed Ya'sin Qamardeen said: "Perharps due to dusty sky here at Central Area, Abuja (FCT) Nigeria, the new hilal of Dhul Hijjah is not visible. However aftre Dhul Qadah run to thirty days the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affdairs (NSCIA) commence the new month of Dhul Hijjah on Thursday 21 Dec 2006 and celebrate Eidul Adhah on December 31 Sun, 2006"

• Tanzania: Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Hamza Rijal said: "The moon of Dhul hijja has not been sighted in tiny island of Zanzibar but our neighbours they have sighted, then the first day of Dhul Hijja would be on December 22. The Eid would be on Sunday 31."

• UK:
  1. Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. AbdurRashid Ayoubi said: "Extremely cloudy. Could not see anything"

  2. Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. Muhammad Dar said: "Sky was covered by thick clouds and dense fog"

  3. Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti from Oxford said: "Negative sighting. I am travelling and therefore not able to perform the obligatory sighting in Oxford, but I have received reports that no sighting was possible in the UK due to the thick fog and poor atmospheric conditions on Wednesday as well as Thursday. I can report negative sightings in Indonesia and Malaysia on Wednesday, 20 December and the authorities there have declared Friday, 22 December, to be the first of Dhu l-Hijja. In addition, there were positive sightings in Morocco today (Thursday, 21 December), which is in the sighting zone [matla'] that can be relied upon for those in the UK, and the authority there has declared Dhu l-Hijja to begin tomorrow, Friday. This news, even if it is not physically possible to sight tonight in the UK itself, is sufficient for those in the UK to establish the new month [thubut al-hilal] of Dhu l-Hijja to be tomorrow. Consequently, 'Id al-Adha or the 10th of Dhu l-Hijja, in the UK as in Morocco, should be on Sunday, 31st December 2006. May the 10 days of Dhu l-Hijja and its 'Id be blessed, and may Allah's mercy descend upon this Umma!"

• USA:

  1. Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. Javad Torabinejad from (Blacksburg, VA) said: "Because of cloudy sky, no sighting was attempted!"

  2. Cloudy: ICOP member, Mr. Belal Gharaibeh from (Lexington, KY) said: "Rainy day no possibility to sight the moon. our local community followed Saudi Arabia, hence Eid is going to be Saturday December 30, 2006."

  3. Seen: ICOP member, Mr. Zaheer Uddin from (Houston, TX) said: "The Hilal was sighted tonight, Thursday, 29th of Dhul Qa'dah (December 21, 2006) in Dallas, Austin and outskirts of Houston (TX). Therefore, tomorrow, Friday will be 1st of Dhul Hijja, 1427 and Eidul Adha will be on Sunday, December 31, 2006, Insha Allah."

  4. Not Seen: Dr. Youssef Ismail said: "It was raining heavily all afternoon on that day and the west was completely socked in. Another group that coordinates with us down in San Diego California, a group of three Muslim men did see it very clearly."

• Guyana: Cloudy: ICOP member Dr. Muhammad Hafiz said: "Due to rainy clouds on the horizon on both the 20th and 21st of December, 2006, Hilall observation was made impossible. Hence, the first day of Zul Hijjah in Guyana is: Friday, 22nd December, 2006. Eid Ul Adha will be celebrated on Sunday, 31st December, 2006."

Thursday 21 December 2006:

1. UAE
2. Kuwait
3. Oman
4. Yemen
5. Qatar
6. Bahrian
7. Saudi
8. Jordan
9. Egypt

Friday 22 December 2006:

1. Indonesia
2. Malaysia
3. Bangladesh
4. Turkey
5. Iran
6. Morocco
7. Tanzania
8. South Africa
9. Guyana

Saturday 23 December 2006:

1. Pakistan

Surprisingly Saudi announced officially that they will look for Thul Hijjah crescent on Tuesday 19 December 2006 (28 Thul Keadah even in Saudi). They are explaining this because there was only one single witness who 'saw' Thul Keadah crescent at the beginning of Thul Keadah! It is truly a disappointing decision to know that Saudi will look for the crescent on Tuesday when it is eventually impossible to be seen even on Wednesday! Where the crescent will set BEFORE the Sun in Saudi on Wednesday! Consequently, they shouldn't ask for crescent sighing even on Wednesday! Moreover, seeing the crescent by naked eyes from Saudi on Thursday is very difficult. So it is truly very strange to ask for crescent sighting two days before the actual sighting date!

It is worth mentioning that Saudi is saying that the crescent of Thul Keadah was seen by a witness on Monday 20 November! On that day the Moon had set before Sunset in all the Islamic World! Actually in almost ALL the world!