International Astronomical Center (IAC)

Visibility of Ramadan Crescent
(1423 AH)

Last Updated 08 November 2002 In this page:-

When to Observe ?
Results of Observation
An Official Saudi Statement
An Official Jordanian Statement
The First Day in Different Countries
The Accuracy of The Astronomical Calculations.
Related Links.

When to Observe ?

The geocentric new Moon will occur Inshalla on Monday (04 November 2002), at 20:34 UT. On this day (Monday 04 November 2002), it is impossible to see the crescent from anywhere on Earth since the Moon will set before the Sun, and the conjunction will occur after the Sunset in almost all the world. While on Tuesday (05 November 2002), the program Moon Calculator by Dr. Monzur Ahmed -according to Yallop criterion- showed that crescent should be seen by telescopes from Southern Asia, Western Asia, Northern Africa, and parts of Northern America. While it should be seen by naked eyes from Southern Africa, Southern and Central America. Thus, according to the actual sighting of the crescent, the start of Ramadan should be on Wednesday (06 November 2002) in most parts of the world, or on Thursday (07 November 2002) in the Eastern parts of the World. Kindly click on the below icon to see the visibility parabola as plotted by the program Moon Calculator

Visibility of the crescent on Tuesday 05 November 2002.

- 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.

Results of Observation

So far, the earliest sighting of the crescent was on 05 November 2002 from Iran by Mr. Asadollah Khoddam and Mr. AliReza Mehrani.

Tuesday 05 November 2002

Indonesia: ICOP member, Suwandojo Siddiq said: "Location: Bandung, West Jawa Indonesia, 6:57S, 107:37E, Day/Date Tuesday/November 05, 2002 CE, at sunset 17:48 (Local Time GMT+7), HILAL COULD NOT BE SIGHTED, IT WAS NOT VISIBLE by naked eyes and binocular. (Western Horizon was little bit cloudy) Note: Astronomical data: Hilal Altitude at sunset 5.9 degree, M-Azi = 254 degree, and M-age = 14,23 hrs, Moon set Lag = 32.5 minutes. I will try again to observe Hilal, tomorrow evening, at sunset time, Insya Allah. The Indonesian Government (the ministry of religion) and also Islamic organisations have announced formally that the first Ramadhan will be started at Wednesday 06-Nov-2002."

Malaysia: ICOP member, Mr. Kassim Bahali said: "The hilal was not seen because the western sky was cloudy after sunset.The Malaysian Government have announced formally that the first Ramadhan will be started at Wednesday 06-Nov-2002."

Maldives: ICOP member, Mr. Ahmed Salih said: "The Western horizon was totally clouded. Ramazaan Mubaarik for all Memebers of ICOP."

Singapore: Mr. Ibrahim Muhammad Ridhwan said: "Follwing the Islamic Calender and the Singapore Mufti has said that the month of Ramadan starts on Wednesday 6 November 2002, 1st of Ramadan 1423 Hijrah. Thats the message from the Kaidus and I wish all Muslims around the world a happy fasting of Ramadan by Mr Muhammad Ridhwan and The Kaidus. In my research most of Muslims in Singapore never learn about how to view the new moon and Most of them don't like to join Astronomy or Islamic Astronomy. So they all just listen to the radio what the Mufti said, if the Mufti said the new moon can be seen in Singapore, then the month of Ramadan will start tomorrow. If not, the month of Ramadan falls the day next. That is my message for all people who wants to know about Singapore Muslim."

Mauritius: ICOP member, Mr. Hamade Aubdoollah said: "In Mauritius, the crescent was not seen -with Binoculars- on Tuesday 29th Shabaan 1423. Hence 1st Ramadaan 1423 started on Thursday 7th Nov 2002."

Iran:

ICOP member, Mr. Asadollah Khoddam Mohammadi said: "The crescent was very thin and about 80 to 90 degrees arc. Other group members couldn't see the moon." The crescent was seen by 20X50 binoculars .
ICOP member, Mr. AliReza Mehrani said:
Location: Homayjan (55km north of Shiraz), IRAN
Longitude: 52:06 E
Latitude: 30:05 N
Elevation: 2200 meters
Time zone: +3.5
Local Sunset at 17:09 LT
Crescent first observed through 12x70 binoculars by Alireza Mehrani
Time: 17:31 LT
Altitude: 2.349 degrees
Azimuth: 248.069 degrees
Rel Azimuth: -6.537 degrees
Elongation of the Moon from Sun: 9.523 degrees
Phase: 0.81%
Moon Age: 17H 27M
Crescent final observes through 12x70 binoculars by Alireza Mehrani at 17:32 LT

Bahrain: ICOP member, Mr. Fathi Mayoof said: "The west horizon was excellent, but absent of computerized instruments and difficult conditions of crescent prevent - in my opinion - the observation of it."

Kuwait: ICOP member, Mr. Hussain Khushaish said: "A group of more than 200 persons tried to sight the crescent on Tuesday 5 Nov. 2002 more than 10 of them with binoculars could not see the crescent including myself. Yet 6 persons claimed seeing the crescent directly after sunset inside an area of black cloud & haze !!!! RAMADAN MOBARAK FOR ALL ICOP MEMBERS & ALL PERSONS WHO READ THIS REPORT."

Saudi:

ICOP member, Mr. Anwar Al Muhammad said: "I with about 15 parsons tried to sight the new crescent of Ramadan, 30 minutes before the time of sun set in Tuesday 5 November. We used a new computerized 10” LX-200, GPS, telescope. Although we aligned the telescope in the night of Monday 4 Nov, to make sure that it will go to the position of the moon, and the moon will stay about 34 minutes after sun set in the eastern area of Saudi Arabia “Al-Aujam- 26:33N, 49:47E” but we could not see the crescent, neither through the telescope or by naked eye. Later on we ask the telescope to go to visible star at it did accurately just to make sure that we did not have miss alignment. As usual, we hared about some people, less than ten, who claim that the saw the crescent. I think we could not see the crescent either because the western horizon in my town was hazy and partially cloudy or the crescent it self was not in stage of visiblality."
ICOP member, Mr. Saleh Al-Saab said: "Ramadhan mubarak for you and your families, may Allah accept and answer all Muslems. Due to the bad wether we could not see the crescent in my group, but two other friends had seen it from Riyadh (Dr.A.Kurdi) and Hail 700 km north of Riyadh (Mr.A. Shammari)."

Jordan: ICOP member, Mohammad Odeh said: "The crescent was seen from Jordan by Mr. Mua'ammar Al-Hadidi." Kindly click here for more details.
Syria: Mr. Taalib said: "Tuesday it was mostly cloudy with a large clearing on the horizon. No sighting on this day. Allah willing, we intend to look again today (Wednesday). The sky is currently clear."
Algeria:
1. ICOP member, Mr. Bankih Bankacem said: "The sky was cloudy, but there were some spaces at about 0.5° where we have tried to look for the crescent."
2. ICOP member, Dr. Jamal Mimouni said: " According to the Crescent committee communique as read on Algerian TV on Tuesday night (Leilatu-Chak in Algeria), the crescent was seen that evening, and thus Wednesday November 6, 2002 was declared the first day of Ramadhan. May Allah accept our fast and bless this Ummah."
3. ICOP member, Dr. Nassim Seghouani said: "The First day of Ramadan in Algeria is Wednesday 6 November. At least 8 witnesses declared to have seen the crescent in 4 differents towns namely in the south west of Algeria, on tuesday 5. The calendar in Algeria is done following the UHC calendar. (it is the calendar we give officially to the Ministery of Religious Affairs). Good Ramadan and Best Wishes for all."
Morocco: Dr. Abdelkhalek Cheddadi said: "The Awqaf Ministery has announced that the crescent has been observed, Tuesday, 29 of Sha'ban. So Ramadan starts on Wednesday, November 6, 2002. Ramadan mubarak to all ICOP members."
Kenya:
1. ICOP member, Mr. Mahmood Essa said: "I hereby take this opportunity to let you know that a number of us went to a hill top outside Mombasa to observe the Ramadhan crescent. The horizon was quite cloudy and thus we were not able to see the crescent. However, the crescent was sighted in other parts of the country and the chief kadhi of kenya has declared tomorrow, Wednesday 6th November to be the first day of Ramadhan in Kenya. Wishing you and all ICOP members a blessed and happy Ramadhan.'
2. ICOP member, Mr. Ali Darani said: "Alhamdulillah the crescent (hilal) has been sighted in several towns in Kenya & Tanzania today, Tuesday the fifth of November 2002. Hence we are starting the holy month of Ramadhan on 6-11-2002 inshaallah Taala. May Allah keeps us alive for this holy month and accept our fasting and prayers Ameen."
South Africa:
1. ICOP member, Mr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim Snr said: "The Ramadaan Hilaal was clearly visible from Three Anchor Bay in Cape Town. It was sighted at 19h44 local time, approximately 2 degrees north of the point sunset and at an altitude of 5 degrees. The cusps were situated at 4 o'clock and 9 o'clock. There were about 400 persons present at the sighting including 2 TV filming units. The first of Ramadaan 1423 will correspond to 06 November 2002 in all southern African countries. Greetings to all Muslims on this auspicious occasion."
2. ICOP member, Mr. Hashim Salie said: "Hilaal for Ramadaan 1423 was sighted at all the regular vantage points, in Cape Town by numerous observers. The Hilaal was also seen in other parts of South Africa. Ramadaan 1423 has commenced in South Africa. Ramadaan Kareem!'
Nigeria:
1. ICOP member, Mr. Aminu Lukuman said: "The crescent was not seen today (Tuesday, 5/11/2002) in Lagos, Nigeria. There where clouds. Meanwhile, there was an official anouncement yesterday (Monday: 04/11/2002) that some people in the Northern (Kaduna e.t.c) and Southern (Phort-Harcourt) Nigeria sighted the crescent at about 1.30 a.m.[which is impossible]. Therefore, most people in the north and few people in south had commence thier Ramadan fast today (Tuesday: 05/11/2002). But we in the Zumratul Jamiu Muminu Society of Nigeria (ZJMSN) believe that (according to the actual sighting of the month of Shaban on monday 07/10/2002) Shaban is 29 days today(Tuesday: 05/11/2002), therefore, we shall look for the crescent tommorrow wednesday when the month of Shaban would complete 30 days and Insha-Allah Commence our Ramadan fast on Thursday (07/11/2002). Begin: According to our(ZJMSN) calendar,the first day of this month begins on Thursday, 07 November 2002. But according to the official announcement, the first day of this month begins on Tuesday, 05 November 2002."
2. ICOP member, Mr. Usman Dukku said: "The day started with a light rain showers, as a result the general wheather condition was cloudy and the sun could not be seen for the whole day. However, thirteen of us went to the outskirts of Bauchi town in order to search for the crescent thinking that the condition will improve. There was little improvement but the moon was not sighted. Nevertheless, yesterday the local authorities confirmed sighting of the crescent in three different places as reported by some people outside this group."
3. ICOP member, Dr. Sani Mustapha said: "Luckily enough I was able to sight the Moon through a corridor of clouds for about five minutes. My sons, and my brother testified."
Bosnia and Herzegovi: ICOP member, Mr. Kemal Sehbajraktarevic mentioned that the sky was cloudy.
Germany: ICOP member, Mr. Gerhard Ahmad Kaufmann said: "No observation possible on both 5 and 6 November due to cloudy weather. Ramadan Mubarak to everybody."
UK:
1. ICOP member, Mr. Mohammad Baig said: "London is totally cloudy today, yet again! However, we are delighted with the news from Jordan - (History is being made there and JAS and ICOP are part of it). Although we are still awaiting news from Morocco, the local Imam has accepted Jordanian sighting the Ramadan starts on Wednesday for a very large majority in the UK. I hope the actual sighting will also be the basis of the Shawwal moon in Jordan and also Saudi Arabia (although I have my reservation for the later)."
2. ICOP member, Dr. Monzur Ahmed said: "In Birmingham, UK it was very cloudy and wet on 5th Nov 2002 making crescent observation pointless. However, the majority here seem to be starting Ramadhan on 6th Nov 2002 anyway! Keep up the good work and Wasalaam."
USA:
1. ICOP member, Dr. Muhammad Hafiz said: "I was very impress with the Jordanian announcement coming from the Sharia court. I feel its time ICOP and JAS should use this opportunity to influence the Justice Minister for Eid also since Saudi Arabia might start the Eid on Thursday, 5th December, 2002. Maybe they can send this statement to Saudi Arabia that they can correct their calendar system and Shawwal 1423 AH. I would appreciate if you can label Saudi Arabia as completing 30 days also under the First day of each country, since they are actually following the Umm Al Qura Civil Calendar which incorrectly states Shaban will have 30 days. Next to Jordan, I will appreciate if you can state- (Actual sighting of the Crescent on the 29th day). This would establish the point clearly that all countries completing 30 days started Shaban ahead of time thus having 30 days. Congratulation to Br. Mr. Mua'ammar Al-Hadidi, JAS and ICOP on this first sighting for the month of Ramadan. May Allah (SWT) answer our Prayers, Inshallah."
  Dr. Hafiz added in another email:
  "Alhamdulillaah the date for start of Ramadaan being correct in most of the world this year is very encouraging. May Allaah (SWT) reward all for their efforts and du'as, especially the JAS work and give more success and help. Aameen. Congratulations!! Saudi Arabia implicitly accepting the mistake in Shab'aan sighting report is also a good success Alhamdulillaah, perhaps happening due to Br. Mohammad Odeh's clear refutation of the Dammam report. I am curious if Saudi reported hilaal sighting from Tuesday evening or not ? Of course JAS reported sighting on Tuesday evening by binoculars. But to the best of my knowledge, Saudi goes by "naked-eye" Hilaal sighting. Saudi scholars like Sheikh AlOthaimeen (RH) are against use of telescopes. Sheikh AlOthaimeen (RH) for example indicated that using telescopes increases the “Takalluf” (Burden) on Muslims, which Allaah (SWT) does not want. Thus even though the Official Saudi Arabian Hilaal committees may carry a telescope, the official witness is only on naked eye visibility. May Allaah (SWT) give us all the Barakaat of Ramadaan and beyond and guide the entire Ummaah to increased Hidayah, Unity and success in both this world and Hereafter. Aameen."
  Dr. Hafiz added in another email:
  "The Hilal/New Crescent was seen in Opa Locka, Florida, USA on Tuesday, 05th November, 2002 at 6:00 PM. The upper horn was pointing to 1 o'clock and the lower horn at 7 o'clock. It was about 4 fingers width and was seen for atlease 12 minutes walking home from work.
  Sultan Hafiz reported from Guyana, that attemps were made to observe the New Crescent by himself and members of the Rose Hall Town Masjid and Rose Hall Town Islamic Center on Tuesday, 5th November, 2002.The New Crescent was not seen in Rose Hall Town since it was very cloudy. The New Crescent was observed by many Masjids in the Berbice area, consisting of Rosignal Masjid, #78 Masjid etc."
2. ICOP member, Dr. Ahmad Raza Khan said: "The sky was unfortunately very cloudy both on Monday and Tuesday for the observation of the Ramadhan crescent."
3. ICOP member, Mr. Jim Stamm said:
```
Time from new at sunset = 27 hours 56 minutes

Location  = Tucson, Arizona (USA)
Longitude = 110.9645 W
Latitude  =  32.4204 N
Elevation = 842 meters

Temperature          =  72 degrees Fahrenheit
Relative Humidity    =  12 percent
Atmospheric Pressure =  30.04 inches of mercury

Local Sunset at   5:30 p.m. (MST)  05 Nov. 2002
UT Time and Date of Sunset = 00:30 06 Nov. 2002

Crescent first observed through 8" SC telescope:
Time     =    5:16 p.m. (MST)   00:16 (UT)
Altitude =    11 degrees
Azimuth  =   237 degrees
Elongation of the Moon from Sun =  15.6 degrees
Percent of surface that was lit =  2.00 percent

Crescent first observed through 6x30 finder:
Time     =    5:17 p.m. (MST)   00:17 (UT)
Altitude =    11 degrees
Azimuth  =   237 degrees
Elongation of the Moon from Sun =  15.6 degrees
Percent of surface that was lit =  2.00 percent

Crescent first observed with the naked eye:
Time     =    5:34 p.m. (MST)   00:34 (UT)
Altitude =    8 degrees
Azimuth  =  240 degrees

Local Moonset at   6:24 p.m. (MST)  05 Nov. 2002
UT Time and Date of Moonset = 01:24 06 Nov. 2002

Hilal became visible through the C-8 just as the sun entered a 
translucent cloud bank.  After the first sighting, it took me 4 more 
minutes to positively see the crescent again.  Therefore confirmation 
would be 5:38 p.m. (local).
```
4. ICOP member, Mr. Isa Alsup mentioned that the sky was partly cloudy.
5. ICOP member, Mr. Khalid Fituri said: "There were thin clouds and haza at the horizon, but the crescent was high enough (about 9 degrees). It was easy to see because the sky was clear."
6. ICOP member, Dr. Mohibullah Durrani said: "The Hilal for Ramadan 1423 AH was sighted by many in South-East USA (Florida) and the sightings have been confirmed as authentic. The Fiqh and Shura Councils of USA/Canada have declared that Ramadan 1423 AH fasting starts from the day of Wed 6 Nov 2002 CE. RAMADAN KAREEM TO ALL!!!"
Canada: ICOP member, Mr. Mohammed Murad said: "The entire sky was clouded."
Trinidad and Tobago: ICOP member, Dr. Shirin Haque-Copilah said: "Trinidad was completely clouded over with heavy showers all day long."

An Official Saudi Statement

Saudi declared officially that the crescent was not seen on Monday 04 November, and the official statement added that since Shaban was not started in Saudi according to a definite proof, then they will also look for the crescent on Tuesday 05 November!

Kindly find below the Saudi Official Statement.

And so did the UAE.

Kindly find below the UAE Official Statement.

An Official Jordanian Statement

For the first time in Jordan, Ramadan starts based on an actual sighting of the crescent. The happened because Jordan had adopted the Universal Hejric Calendar (UHC) prepared by the AUASS. The UHC adopts the calculated visibility of the crescent and thus Sha'ban started correctly in Jordan (Based on the actual sighting of the crescent ). Consequently, looking for Ramadan crescent in Jordan was on 05 November. What is more pleasing is that the crescent was seen in Jordan by JAS member Mr. Mua'ammar Al-Hadidi. Where he could see the crescent by binoculars for a while before the clouds hide it! Kindly find below the official Jordanian statement in which it is mentioned that the crescent was seen by a JAS member.