- Malaysia:
- ICOP member, Mr. Baharrudin Zainal
(Coordinator of KUSZA Observatory) said: "Alhamdulillah, the Moon had been sighted at KUSZA Observatory, Terengganu, Malaysia, 10 minutes after sunset, at about 19.26 local time. The height of the altostratus cloud is about 5 degree, and the can be see until 2 degrees near horizon. We using theodolite (surveying telescope) to determined the Moon position, and binocular to identified the Moon. For the first time visibility (10 minutes after sunset), only myself see the Moon. Nobody can confirm it. It lost (disappear) after 2 minutes. Once again, after the short while, I can see Moon again. There were 2 other people can confirm the visibility. Alhamdulillah. This is my fourth young moon sighting record, with the lowest age is about 16.4. I will report further to the committee."
- ICOP member, Mr. Kassim Bahali said: "Alhamdulillah, congratulation that you had seen the crescent. I'm in Melaka (my place), Malaysia, the crescent not sighted because western sky was cloudy. My friend from KUSZA was seen the crescent at his obs. in Terengganu. 1st of Muharram on 6 of April. "
- ICOP member, Mr. Suwandojo Siddiq said: "Regarding Muharram Hilal may I inform you, that I could NOT see the Hilal at 06-April-2000. Moon conjunction was 05-Apr-2000, 01:13:05, moon-alt -71.265deg. The time expected that the crescent moon sighting (ru'yatul hilal) can be done, was 06-Aprl-2000, 18:34:35, where Sun-alt = -5deg, moon-alt =16.004 deg. and moon-age = 40.96 hours. At that day (evening) heavy rain was sprayed Bandung (my city) since midday. Rainy season is Nov to May. I'm sorry."
- Singapore: ICOP member, Mr. Firdaus Yahya said: "The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore announced yesterday that today, 6 April 2000, is the first day of the Hejric year 1421. Singapore does not conduct ru'yatul hilal because it has no clear horizon. Hence
it depends on calculations. Yesterday, according to calculations, the crescent is already about 8 degrees above the horizon and sets about 30 minutes after sunset."
- Mauritius: ICOP member, Mr. Hamade Aubdoollah said: "The crescent for Muharram 1421 has been visible in Mauritius on Wednesday evening, 5th April 2000. Thursday 6th April is the 1st day of Muharram 1421."
- Iran:
- ICOP member, Mr. AliReza Mehrani said: "About 10 people could see the crescent by binocular, I was the 4th
one. The first person who saw the crescent was Mr. Said Jaanghorban and he
saw the crescent with a 20x60. We used 20x60 7x50 and 10x50 binoculars in
this observation. Western horizon was covered by clouds about 80 percent. We could saw crescent between clouds in those parts which was thin so we could not see the crescent by naked eyes and took pictures."
- ICOP member, Mr. Asadollah Khoddam Mohammadi mentioned that the sky was hazy. So no crescent was seen.
- Iraq: ICOP member, Mr. Tariq Katbeh mentioned that the sky was cloudy.
- UAE: ICOP member, Dr. David McNaughton said: "I saw nothing from Dubai beach at dusk yesterday (Wednesday 5th April) -
but when crescent-visibility is only marginal, Dubai is not a good place
(because of industrial haze). Also, patchy high cloud may have helped
disguise the New Moon. Like last month, Jupiter was available and clearly visible yesterday as a 'beacon'."
- Yemen: ICOP member, Dr. Mojahid Najem mentioned that the sky was cloudy.
- Jordan: JAS held a public observing day for crescent observation. We had talked about this observation in the local newspapers, and Jordanian broadcast. In addition, we have invited the ANN; one of the most famous Arabic T.V. More than 30 persons gathered in Al-Qala'a mountain, which is located in the middle of Amman. For sure, from astronomical point of view, it is not suitable for crescent observation... But on the other hand, it is very easy to reach, so the public will not face difficulties in reaching the location of observation! We brought the LX200 computerized telescope, 8-inch telescope, 4-inch, and many binoculars. The local sunset occurs around 19 local time. Whereas the observation started at 18 local time. We spent the first hour trying to do the alignment for the computerized telescope. The most important thing which we didn't mention so far is the weather condition.... Actually it was one of the worst skies which I've ever seen!! It was heavily dusty, that is the Sun was faint when it was to set! The weather conditions turned seeing the crescent to a miracle. All of us gave up, and it was a hopeless matter! Nevertheless, we insisted on doing the alignment... And we did so few minutes after sunset, where Jupiter helped in the alignment. One minute after finding Jupiter, we entered the coordinated of the crescent, and the telescope moved automatically towards the input coordinates. I looked with 'great' hopeless in the field. None of us expected to see the crescent. I concentrated more and more till I suddenly saw some bright spot in the field, more concentration was needed to identify the shape of the crescent... I couldn't help but to leave the telescope and shouting I SAW IT I SAW It :-)... Marwan had a look after me, and after 'long' time he said YES I DID see it !!! It really reminds me of the crescent which we saw in Al-Shoubak. Among the +30 persons, only three members could see the crescent, the third is Ms. Nada Abanda. Unfortunately, soon after that, the crescent became nearer to the horizon, and became more difficult to see. The crescent was NOT seen in binoculars despite the extensive trials by Mr. Marwan. Lastly, the president of JAS and I made an interview with the ANN, and we talked about ICOP, its objectives, and its members.
- Syria: ICOP members, Dr. Hasan Bilani mentioned that the sly was cloudy.
- Kenya: ICOP member, Mr. Mahmood Essa said: "As reported earlier, we could not sight the crescent ourselves
personally yesterday evening 5/4/2000 , due to heavy cloud cover, but
it was reported that some observers did infact sight the crescent and
thus today, 6/4/2000 is our first day of Muharram 1421. The crescent was clearly visible today, 6/4/2000. Ali Darani the other Kenyan member also reports that he too could not sight the crescent yesterday owing to heavy cloud cover."
- South Africa:
- ICOP member, Mr. Hashim Salie said: "The crescent moon was easily sighted, and indeed a true spectacle in
the sky, with the surrounding planets. The 1st of Muharram 1421 corresponds
with 06 April 2000. Our very best wishes to all muslims for the new year."
- ICOP member, Mr. Ebrahim Isaacs said: "The Crescent Observers last night sighted the Hilal for Muharram."
- ICOP member, Dr. John Caldwell said: "Didn't see the sun set since arrived too late. Nice crescent; easy."
- Tunisia: Mr. Mohamed Khadraoui said: "Hope good new year 1421 for you, JAS and all community. In TUNIS even we was prepared to meet the 23.5 hours crescent but the sky was cloudy."
- Nigeria: ICOP member, Mr. Alabi Isiaq said: "Muharram 1 was Thur 06/04/2000 here. The sky was cloudy here on Wed
05/04/2000. The consensus was taken that the count had completed. "
- Morocco: ICOP member, Dr. Hamid TOUMA said: "I am very happy to inform you that the first day of Muharram, the
first day of the new islamic year, was yesterday Thursday 6 April, 2000. About the observation of the crescent we have tried to observe it with Naked
eye and with the Binoculars, but it was very difficult to find it because the
all western horizon was totally cloudy. On Thursday 5 April 2000 and at 18h 13mn it has 24 hours of life, as you know the new Moon was been on Tuesday 4 April, 2000 at 18h 13mn. In the end, I would like to take this opportunity to hope a New Year to all members of the ICOP and to the all Muslims in the World. Thank you."
- Mexico: Mr. Muhammad Hafiz said: "On April 4th, 2000 the crescent was not seen in Guadalajara, Mexico. On Wednesday April 5th, 2000 the crescent was seen in Guadalajara Mexico at 8:30 pm (sunset) Mexico time."
- USA:
- ICOP member, Mr. Gulamabbas Khakoo said : "Please be advised that I sighted the moon for the Month of Muharram 1421 on April 05th 2000. The time was approx. 19:30 in Buena Park California."
- ICOP member, Dr. Mustafa Helvaci said: "I sighted the Moon for the month of Muharram 1421 on April 05th 2000. The time was approx. 20:36, the sunset time was at 20.05pm, altitude of the Crescent was aprx. 6 deg. from western horizon, and arc length of sighted crescent was aprx. 160 deg in Lexington, Kentucky. Thanks for your effort, and thanks for all observers."
