International Astronomical Center

• When to Observe Jumadal Thani Waning (OLD) Crescent ?
• When to Observe Rajab Waxing (NEW) Crescent ?
• Jumadal Thani Waning (OLD) Crescent Observation Results
• Rajab Waxing (NEW) Crescent Observation Results
• The OFFICIAL First Day in Different Countries

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The geocentric conjunction (Geocentric New Moon) will occur Inshalla on (Friday 05 August 2005), at 03:05 UT. On this day it is impossible to see the OLD crescent from almost every where on Earth. While on the Previous day (Thursday 04 August 2005), the program Accurate Times by Mohammad Odeh -according to Odeh criterion- showed that the OLD crescent should be visible by optical aid from North America. While it could be seen by naked eye (or still by optical aid only) from western parts of North America, Central and Northern parts of Africa and Europe. Where as it should be easily seen by naked eye from most parts of Asia.

The geocentric conjunction (Geocentric New Moon) will occur Inshalla on (Friday 05 August 2005), at 03:05 UT. On this day, the program Accurate Times by Mohammad Odeh -according to Odeh criterion- showed that the NEW crescent should be visible by optical aid from central and western parts of Africa, parts of South America and North America. While it could be seen by naked eye (or still by optical aid only) from southern parts of North America, Central America and Northern parts of South America. Where as it should be easily seen by naked eye from central parts of the Pacific Ocean.

According to the actual sighting of the crescent, the start of Rajab should be on Saturday 06 August 2005 in central and western parts of the world or on Sunday 07 August 2005 in the eastern parts of the world.

- Results of seeing the crescent, and the first day of the month in different countries will be added here Inshalla as we receive the reports from ICOP's members. If you wish to be a member in ICOP, or to know more about it, kindly click here.

• Australia: ICOP member Mr. Afroz Ali said: "The crescent for Rajab was not observed anywhere in Australia on the 5th August. Therefore the 1st day of Ramadhan will be on 7th August in Australia."

• Singapore: ICOP member Mr. Muhammad Ridhwan mentioned that it was cloudy and he added: "According to the MUIS calender. The 1st of Rejab 1426H falls on 6 of August 2005. "

• Iraq: ICOP member Mr. Bacil Moudhaffar said: "Crescent was not seen (naked eye & binocular) on Fri. 05/08/2005 from Baghdad-Iraq."

• Saudi Arabia:
  1. ICOP member Mr. Saleh Al-Saab said: "The crescent was about 6 degrees above the horizon at sunset but the weather didn't help."

  2. ICOP member Mr. Hani Dalee said: " It was too cloudy to even see the sunset."

  3. ICOP member Mr. Anwar Al-Muhammad said: "I with 3 parsons tried to sight the new crescent of Rajab-1426, 10 minutes before the time of sunset on Friday, 5 Aug 2005, in the eastern area of Saudi Arabia “Al-Aujam- 26:34N, 49:47E” at the observatory of Qatif Astronomy Society (QAS). We used a computerized 10” LX-200 GPS telescope, which is fixed and well aligned. We tested its alignment by pointing it toward Jupiter and Venus first then to the moon. The western horizon was very clear. We could not see it nether by naked nor by telescope. More detail is available at: http://qasweb.org/newcrescents.htm Or the forum: http://qasweb.org/qasforum/index.php?showtopic=1351&st=0&#entry4395 "

• Algeria: ICOP member Mr. Bankih Kacem said: "05 persents have tried to observe the young Rajab 1426 crescent, from Merkich satation, but it was not seen (even by binoculars). The western horizon was hazy."

• Morocco: ICOP member Mr. Othman Fadli mentioned it was totally cloudy.

• Zanzibar: ICOP member Mr. Hamza Rijal said: "We had failed to sight the Hilal on Friday and yesterday it was 30. I cross checked with all who are concerned with moon sighting on Friday if there is any point in either Unguja or Pemba if Moon was sighted, the result was negative. Today is officially 1 st of Rajab, 1426 in Zanzibar as well Tanzania mainland our neighbours, I have no idea on Kenya and Uganda whether they have sighted or not. Funny enough people are not very much concern on the issue of moon sighting till we approach Ramadhan, by that time distinct number of school of thoughts shall emerge."

• South Africa: ICOP member Dr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim said: "Negative sighting result in Southern Africa. My sighting location was at Dolphin Beach on the Atlantic coast approximately 20 km north-east of Cape Town. Excellent atmospheric conditions. The official first day of Rajab will correspond to Sunday, 7 August 2005."

• Nigeria:
  1. ICOP member Mr. Usman Duhhu said: "It was cloudy this evening here in Bauchi, thus we had to cancel our sighting trip."

  2. ICOP member Mr. Muhammed Ya'sin Qamardeen said: "The monthly observation was conducted at Abuja, but due to cloud sky I did not sight the crescent. Likewise other members from Bauchi, Ilorin and Lagos claimed negative sighting due to cloudy sky. Meanwhile Nigeria supreme council for Islamic affair commenced Rajab 0n August 6, 2005 after the month of Rabiul Thanni had ran to thirty days."

• UK: ICOP member Mr. Mohammad Baig said: "Sighting was not possible on Friday and Western horizon was cloudy on Saturday. The first day of Rajab in UK is Sunday 7th as was expected."

• USA:
  1. ICOP member Dr. Muhammad Hafiz said: "I tried to observe the Hilaal on Friday, 5th August, 2005 after sunset from Opa Locka, Florida, USA. No Hilaal was observed due to rainy clouds on horizon."

  2. ICOP member Mr. Isa Alsup said: "Far too cloudy to observe hilal. No attempt made."

Saturday 06 August 2005:

• Algeria: ICOP member Mr. Bankih Kacem said: "01 member of AMNIR club have observed the Rajab 1426 crescent from Merkich station. Mr. Moustafa TELLAI have easily seen the crescent at 19:41 LT."

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