International Astronomical Center

So far, the earliest sighting of the crescent was on Thursday from Maldives. The crescent was also seen on this day from Iran, Jordan, Nigeria, and Germany.

Wednesday 23 May

• Brunei: ICOP member, Mr. Mahadi Mohamad Tahir said: "The crescent was not sighted. Rabiul Awal begins on Thursday (24/5/2001)."

• Singapore: ICOP member, Mr. Firdaus Yahya said: "The cloud was thick on the western horizon, about 10 degrees. However according to calculation, the crescent was already 3 degrees above horizon during sunset. Hence, according to Mabims criteria, the next day 24 May 2001 is the first day of the month Rabiul Awal 1402. Singapore follows the Mabims criteria."

• Algeria: ICOP member, Mr. Bankih Kacem said: "The western horizon was cloudy."

• Nigeria:
  1. ICOP member, Mr. Aminu Lukuman said: "The crescent was not seen today (23/05/2001). Although there were thick clouds and by our calcultions today ( Magrib time; i.e about 7:15 p.m) is the begnning of 30th of Safar in Nigeria. In-sha-Allah we are expecting the crescent tommorow (24/05/2001)."

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Usman Dukku said: " I went out with seven brothers to a point of vantage outside the city(on top of a hill) before sunset but we did not sight the crescent."

• USA: ICOP member, Dr. Muhammad Hafiz said: "ON MAY 23, 2001 THE CRESENT WAS NOT OBSERVED IN OPA LOCKA, FLORIDA, USA AT SUNSET. THERE WAS RAINY CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON."

Thursday 24 May

• Malaysia: ICOP member, Mr. Kassim Bahali said: "The western horizon was cloudy. I tried to see the hilal but it was not seen."

• Maldives:

  1. ICOP member, Mr. Muthasim Fahmy mentioned that it was cloudy.

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Ahmed Salih said: "The exact sunset was not seen due bits of clouds on the horizon. Crescent was observed about 0637 for half minute as it between bits of clouds. It may have been possible to see the crescent earlier if sky was totaly clear. We are celebrating First of Rabeeul Awwalu, our National Day. Greetings to all our members."

• Iran:
  1. ICOP member, Mr. AliReza Mehrani mentioned that he saw the crescent by naked eyes.

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Amir Hasanzadeh said: "The crescent was seen before sunset, though in Rasht western horizon was partly cloudy."

  3. ICOP member, Mr. Saeed Janghorban mentioned that he saw the crescent by naked eyes.

  4. ICOP member, Mr. Asadollah Khoddam Mohammadi mentioned that he saw the crescent by naked eyes.

• Saudi: ICOP member, Mr. Saleh Al-Saab said: "SALAM TO ALL FRIENDS , I COUL NOT SEE THE CRESCENT YESTERDAY BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY (3.5) DEGREES ABOVE THE HORIZON .ALSO I COULD NOT SEE IT TODAY DUE TO THE DARK CLOUDS WERE EXISTING FROM ABOUT 17:30. BEST WISHES TO ALL MEMBERS."

• Morocco: ICOP member, Dr. Hamid TOUMA said: "Yesterday (Wednesday), during the principal night news TV, the Moroccan Gouvernement has announced that they have tried to observe the Crescent of the Moon, but it was not been visible within the all Morocco aerea, so the first day of Rabee'Awwal is tomorrow Friday 25 May 2001 in Morocco. This decision is good relatively to database of astronomy. As you know the New Moon was yesterday Wednesday 23 May 2001 on 3h 46 mn (AM UT) and on the juste after the Sunset on the same day the Crescent has only 17 hours of life so it was praticaly impossible to observe it. And for more information in Morocco we apply the Creteria to observe the Crescent of the Moon :It must have more then 20 hours of life, to be visible.I would like take this opportunity to express my sinceres wishes a good and happy month and a good AID MAOULID ANNABAOUI to you, to all members of ICOP, and to all muslims in the world.

• Nigeria:
  1. ICOP member, Dr. Mustapha Alimi mentioned that he saw the crescent by naked eyes.

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Usman Dukku said: "I climbed a hill in the outskirts of the town (Bauchi), with the same people with whom I searched for the crescent yesterday, before sunset. I sighted the crescent at sunset(1840hr) and showed it to the others. It disappeared behind clouds at about 1920hr. However according to the official calendar today,Thusday 24 May 2001, is the beginning of Rabi-ul-Auwal. "

• Bosnia and Herzegovi: ICOP member, Mr. Kemal Sehbajraktarevic said: "The officially first day of Rebiul Awwal in Bosnia was yesterday, 24.05.2001. Selam from Bosnia"

• Germany:

  1. ICOP member, Mr. Yucel Kadir mentioned that he saw the crescent by naked eyes.

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Gerhard Ahmad Kaufmann mentioned that he saw the crescent by naked eyes.

  3. ICOP member, Mr. Gerhard Ahmad Kaufmann said: "Easily visible before sunset."

Thursday 24 May:-

1. Malaysia
2. Brunei
3. Singapore
4. Maldives
5. Jordan
6. Nigeria
7. Bosnia and Herzegovi
8. Bahrain
9. Egypt
10. Iraq
11. Kuwait
12. Lebanon
13. Oman
14. Quatar
15. Saudi Arabia
16. Tunisia
17. UAE

Friday 25 May:-

1. Iran
2. Pakistan
3. Morocco