International Astronomical Center

So far, the earliest sighting of the crescent was on Monday 14 January 2002 by Mr. Saleh Al-Saab from Saudi. The crescent was also seen on this day from Morocco and Mexico.

Monday 14 January

• Malaysia: ICOP member, Mr. Kassim Bahali said: "The cresent was not seen because the western sky was totatly cloudy. First of Zulkaedah begins on Teusday 15, Jan. 2001"

• Brunei: ICOP member, Mr. Mahadi Mohamad Tahir said: " Two groups from Survey Department were tried to sight the crescent at two different locations. At bothlocations, the crescent was not seen due to the haze at the western horizon. First day of Zulkaedah begins on 15/1/2002"

• Iran:

  1. ICOP member, Mr. Asadollah Khoddam Mohammadi mentioned that the crescent was not seen by naked eyes despite the clear skies.

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Amir Hasanzadeh mentioned that the crescent was not seen by naked eyes, and mentioned that it was hazy and partly cloudy.

• Saudi:

  1. ICOP member, Mr. Saleh Al-Saab mentioned that the crescent was seen by binoculars only.

• Jordan: ICOP member, Mohammad Odeh mentioned that it was cloudy in Amman.

• Algeria: ICOP member, Mr. Bankih Bankacem said: "The western horizon was partly cloudy and hazy, the Dul Kida 1422 crescent wasn't observed from Bahmed Oumoussa at Beni Isguen."

• Morocco:
  1. Dr. Abdelkhalek Cheddadi said: "The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs announced Monday evening that the crescent has been observed. So 1st of Dhu al-Qi'da is Tuesday 15 January."

  2. ICOP member, Prof. Hamid TOUMA said: "On Monday 14 January 2002, the Moroccan Gouvernment has declared that the first day of the Kea'da is Tuesday 15 january 2002. This decision is ok with the astronomical data. As you know that the new Moon was on the 13 January 2002 at 13h 29 min (UT) and on the 14 January 2002 at 18 h, the Crescent of the Moon was 29 hours of life, so it was possible to be observable. Thank you so much."

• Kenya: ICOP member, Mr. Mahmood Essa said: "Regret to let you know that I tried to look for the new crescent but there was a lot of cloud cover and thus it was not possible to sight the crescent."

• Nigeria:
  1. ICOP member, Mr. Usman Dukku said: "Four of us attempted sighting the crescent but it was not sighted here in Bauchi. The horizon was covered by thin clouds and dust: even the sun disappeared 25 minutes before local sunset."

• Germany:
  1. ICOP member, Mr. Gerhard Ahmad Kaufmann mentioned that it was cloudy.

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Kadir Yucel mentioned that he couldn't see the crescent by naked eyes or binoculars, knowing that it was hazy.

• Mexico: ICOP member, Mr. Muhammad Hafiz said: "I SAW THE CRESCENT IN PROVIDENCIA, GUADALAJARA, MEXICO ON 14TH JANUARY, 2002 AT SUNSET-7:10 PM (MEXICO TIME). THE HORIZON WAS CLEAR AND CRESCENT OBSERVATION WAS NOT DIFFICULT."

Monday 14 January:-

Tuesday 15 January:-

1. Malaysia
2. Brunei
3. Iran
4. Saudi
5. Jordan
6. Syria
7. Morocco
8. South Africa