International Astronomical Center (IAC)

Visibility of Ramadan Crescent
(1428 AH)

Last Updated 28 September 2007 In This Page:-

When to Observe Ramadan Waxing (NEW) Crescent ?
Ramadan Waxing (NEW) Crescent Observation Results
The OFFICIAL First Day in Different Countries
Ramadan Beginning World Map
ICOP Official Statement
Saudi Will Look for The Crescent on Monday 28 Shaban!
When to Observe Shaban (OLD) Crescent ?
Shaban Waning (OLD) Crescent Observation Results

When to Observe Ramadan Waxing (NEW) Crescent ?

The geocentric conjunction (Geocentric New Moon) will occur Inshalla on (Tuesday 11 September 2007) at 12:44 UT.

Sighting the new crescent on (Tuesday 11 September 2007) and on (Wednesday 12 September 2007) is shown in the below graphs using the program Accurate Times by Mohammad Odeh according to Odeh criterion. Where:-

It is impossible to see the crescent from the areas located under the red color. Because either the Moon on this day sets before the Sunset and/or the topocentric conjunction occurs after the Sunset.
The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid only from the areas located under the blue color.
The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid from the areas located under the magenta color. In these areas the crescent could be seen by naked eye if the atmospheric conditions are superb and the observer is experienced.
The crescent is expected to be easily visible by naked eye from the areas located under the green color.
The crescent can not be seen from uncolored areas, even though the Moon sets in these locations after the Sunset and the topocentric conjunction occurs before the Sunset, but the Moon is not sufficiently illuminated in order to be seen as crescent even by optical aid.
Kindly notice that the below graph shows the possibility of seeing the crescent from areas between 60 degrees north of Equator down to 60 degrees south of Equator.

Tuesday 11 September 2007

Wednesday 12 September 2007

According to the Universal Hejric Calendar (UHC), which is based on the calculated crescent visibility, the start of this month in the Eastern Region will be on Thursday 13 September 2007, and in the Western Region will be on Thursday 13 September 2007 also.

- 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.

Ramadan Waxing (NEW) Crescent Observation Results

So far, the earliest sighting of the crescent was on Wednesday 12 September by ICOP members from Iran, the crescent was also seen on this day from Oman, France, South Africa, Tanzania, USA and Guyana.
Tuesday 11 September 2007:

Indonesia:

Not Seen: ICOP member, Mr. AR Sugeng Riyadi said: "We tried together to observer the new crescent on top floor of Saphir Square Plaza in Yogyakarta City (Jogja) with many islamic institutions which organized by Local Committee. The result Calculation and Observation of Crescents was tried to observer the NEW CRESCENT of Ramadhan 1428 H was NOT SEEN because the Moonset before Sunset. The first Ramadhan in Indonesia will begin on Thursday 13 September 2007. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds, because most of moslem in Indonesia will starting ramadhan fasting together-on the same day."

Not Seen: Dr. Susiknan Azhari said: "The new crescent of Ramadan was not seen on Tuesday 11/09/2007 from Shapire Square Yogyakarta by eyes nor by binocular. MUHAMMADIYAH has announced through its formal announcement letter (Maklumat) number 02/MLM/1.0/E/2007, that 1 Ramadan 1427 is corresponding to "Kamis Pon" 13 September 2007."

Not Seen: Mr. Irfan Madani said: "Just to let you know, Indonesia has officially anounced that the 1st of Ramadan this year will be on Thursday 13 September 2007 after failed of sighting the hilaal today (Tuesday, 11/9)."

Not Seen: ICOP member, Mr. Mutoha MMC said: "On top roff (9rd floor) of Plaza in Yogyakarta city (Jogja) many groups who organized by Local Committee for Calculation and Observation of Crescents was tried to "rukyatul hilal" of Ramadhan. The western sky condition was clear no clouds and only little haze but the crescent has not seen such as anywhere in the country because the moonset before sunset. After evaluation meeting for hilal observation (itsbat), Indonesian Ministry of Religion Affairs has officially declared on National TV that the first Ramadhan begin on Thursday 13 September 2007. More info can be get on http://rukyatulhilal.org"

Malaysia: Not Seen: ICOP member, Mr. Abdul Wahid Abdul Majid said: "The Crescent was not seen at the place because conjunction will be at 2044 hours localtime. Moonset 9 minutes before sunset according calculation. So Malaysia start Ramadan at 13 September 2007"

Nigeria:

Not Seen: Mr. Jubril Aminu said: "The Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs(NSCIA) has officially announced on saturday(08/09/2007)that muslims should commence fasting on Wednesday(12/09/2007). NSCIA is the highest muslim body in Nigeria recognise by the giovernment, therefore Nigeria has officially declared Wednesday(12/09/2007) Ramadan 1."

Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Usman Dukku said: "In spite of of the clear skies, we did not try sighting the crescent today here in Bauchi because it is 28th Sha'ban and the moon set one mitute after the sun. However, as expected, the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Sultan of Sokoto announced latar in the evenning that the moon was sighted in many places in the northern part of the country and, thus, people should start fasting on Wednesday 12 September 2007. Most of the masses will start looking for the moon tomorrow, in sha Allah." Mr. Dukku added later on: "The moon was not sighted from anywhere on the globe on Tuesday. The claims from Nigeria are certainly wrong although not unexpected since this has been the situation in Nigeria for over 40 years: That is some Nigerians see the moon that is not there."

Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Lukuman Aminu said: "The sky was very clear in Lagos, Nigeria and the crescent was not sighted on Tuesday. The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs(NSCIA) made another announcement on Tuesday night that the crescent was seen in more than five different states in Nigeria. Therefore most Nigerians commence fasting on Wednessday. Some group like the Zumratul Jamiu Muminu Society of Nigeria siezed to commence fasting on Wednesday, they insist on sighting the crescent before starting."

Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Muhammed Ya'sin Qamardeen said: "The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affair had early on Tuesday 11 September, declared that hilal of Ramadan was visible on tuesday evening, so some sectoin of Muslim in the country began Ramadan to day wednesday 12. Ramadan Kareem to all member of ICOP and Muslim in general"

South Africa: Not Seen: ICOP member Dr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim said: "Wednesday - 12 September 2007 is the 29 day of Shabaan 1428 AH in South Africa. There is an excellent possibility of the Ramadaan Hilaal being sighted throughout South Africa on this Wednesday evening. The first day of Ramadaan should be on Thursday, 13 September 2007."

Norway: Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Imran Mushtaq said: "The Decision by Islamic Council of Norway is to fullfill 30 days of Ramadan and start 1st Ramadan on 13.09.2007 InshaAllah". Mr. Mushtaq mentioned that it was partly cloudy.

UK:

Not Seen: ICOP member, Mr. Zafar Iqbal said: "Here in Britain has been anounced that Ramadan will begin on 13 and 14 of September."

Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti said: "I am unable to perform the sighting in Oxford. Although today, Tuesday 11th of September, is still the 28th of Sha'ban in the UK, this is to report negative sightings in the Indonesian islands despite clear skies there today. The national authority there has declared that Ramadan will begin on Thursday, 13 September 2007. This report of negative sightings in the East is confirmed by negative sighting in the West, as in Morocco today. We are expecting Ramadan to begin the earliest in the UK on Thursday, subject to positive sightings anywhere East of the UK tomorrow, at which time I will make another report."

Canada: Cloudy: ICOP member Dr. Maher Nofal said: "I went to see the moon, Tuesday 11 September 2007, Ottawa, Canada. It was Cloudy and Rainy. I could not see it. Here in Canada, has been announced that Ramadan will be begin on Thursday 13 of September."

Guyana: Not Seen: ICOP member Dr. Muhammad Hafiz said: "I tried to observe the Hilaal in Rose Hall Town, Guyana after sunset on Tuesday, September 11th, 2007. Despite scattered clouds on the horizon no Hilaal was observe as was predicted by the visibility curve. No sighting reports were made over the TV of Hilaal observation throughout Guyana. It was announce on a daily basis on the TV that the month of Ramadan will begin in Guyana on Wednesday night with the first fast starting on Thursday, InsaAllah. This was also announced on the calendar that we prepare. I think Muslims are set on this and they will attempt Hilaal sighting tomorrow. If the entire Guyana is overcast then CIOG will declare fast on Friday and cause a major division in Guyana that occurred last year both for Eid Ul Fitir and Eid Ul Adha. We will try to observe the Hilaal tomorrow (Wednesday) also hoping the weather will permit us to see the Hilaal, InshaAllah."

Wednesday 12 September 2007:

Australia:

Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Sam De Francesco said: "The crescent was not able to be sighted in Sydney, nor the rest of Australia. This means Friday 14 September 2007 will be the first of Ramadhan in Australia for those following moonsighting, and Thursday 13 September for those that pre-determine the beginning of the month."

Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Afroz Ali said: "Crescent sighting was attempted throughout Australia, over 70 locations which I coordinated. The crescent was NOT sighted anywhere, despite superbly clear skies at many locations."

Philippines: Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Abu Ammar Mama Mangorangca said: "The Ramadhan hilal was not seen here in the Philippines this evening, as expected. A group of one Mufti tried to search for hilal as early as yesterday evening, 11 September, insisting it was the 29th of Sha'ban, in vain. Because this group failed to see the hilal that evening, the started to fast tomorrow, 13th September. The more enlightened groups observed the hilal this evening. As of now, two hours after sunset, no report of sighting is received. So Ramadhan is started here on two dates: September 13 and 14. Masha Allah."

Malaysia: Cloudy: ICOP member, Mr. Kassim Bahali said: "The hilal was not seen at Al-Khawarizmi Observatory. The western horizon and the sky was cloudy."

India: Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Mohammad Amin said: "In India no where Crescent seen on 12th September and Official announcement of begining of Ramadhan was for 14th September, Friday."

Sri Lanka: Not Seen: ICOP member, Dr. Aqil Ahmad Sharifuddeen said: "Myself and my friend Handun tried to see the Ramadan waxing crescent today, 12th September,2007. Our location was Akkaraipattu, longitude 81o,51': latitude 7o,13'. The western horizon was cloudy and there were some windows through clouds. we were looking from sunset to moonset time and failed to see the Hilal. The official meeting to decide the starting of the month took place in Colombo Grand Mosque today and concluded and declared that since no sighting was reported anywhere from the island holy month Ramadan will commence on 14th completing Sha'ban 30 days in Sri Lanka."

Singapore: Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Firdaus Yahya said: "The Mufti of Singapore has announced that the start of Ramadan will be on Thursday, 13 September."

Iran:

Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Mohammad Zahed Aram mentioned that he was not able to see the crescent by naked eye or by boniculars.

Seen: ICOP member Mr. Reza Amirzadeh said: "I saw Ramadan Crescent this Day! First time at 15:33 and second time at 15:33 with Mr.Mahamad Ghareh Gozli in TV station site (Bardsir-Kerman-Iran)." Mr. Amirzadeh mentioned that he used 8" telescope, and it was seen by telescope only.

Seen: ICOP member Mr. Alireza Mehrani said:
Date: Wednesday September 12, 2007 (Shahrivar 21, 1386)
Location: Fereydan, Esfahan, Iran (33:16N 50:10E)
Elevation: 2600 meters from sea level
Time Zone: +3.5
(Moon Calculator ver 6.0, by Dr. Monzur Ahmed, Topo, Refrac OFF)
Sunset (at sea level): 18:20:39 LT
Sunset (observed): 18:17 LT
Crescent first observation through 15x80 binoculars by Alireza Mehrani:
Time: 18:22:10 LT
Moon Alt: 2.812°
Sun Alt: - (1.151°)
Rel Azi: - (11.355°)
Elongation: 12.079°
Moon Phase: 1.17%
Width: 0.33'
Arc Length: (4.15-3.15) 30°
Crescent final observation through 15x80 binoculars by Alireza Mehrani:
Time: 18:22:40
Observer: Alireza Mehrani
Two years ago, I saw the crescent of Dhul-Qi'dah 1426 (December 2, 2005) in the same location. Although, this year, the crescent of Ramadan was very similar to the 1426 Dhul-Qi'dah crescent, but it was thinner and also 0.5° altitude less at the sunset. By a theodolite camera, I found the crescent situation at 18:05 LT, and waited for the observation time. At 18:05 I started the observation and every 5 minutes by the theodolite, I was controlling the crescent direction. From 18:05 to 18:22, I saw a flash in the view field. For some seconds it repeated but without any fixed image. I couldn't be satisfied that I have observed the crescent. It seemed to be a curved, but because of the very appearance, I changed my mind for observing and it disappeared. The crescent had mixed in the thin dust. It was just some seconds after 18:22, that I recognized a flash again in the view field center. After some seconds, the mentioned flash became a clear and permanent image from a thin short arc. The image started flashing but it became fix again for a longer time. I became sure that this arc is the crescent and so surprised became of the arc length shortness. When the crescent started flashing, I couldn't see it any more. Although I continued the observation until the crescent sinked in the middle part of the thick dust, but it was futile.

Seen: ICOP member Mr. Abbas Ahmadian said: "I have seen the crescent for few seconds by Meade 14" telescope & 40mm eyepiece & taking image by Canon 400D Camera." Mr. Amirzadeh mentioned the following data:
Country..............: Iran
Longitude............: 52:23 E
Latitude.............: 32:45 N
Zone.................: +3.5
Elevation............: 3350m
Date.................: 12 Sep 2007
Day..................: Wednesday
Members of group.....: Abbas Ahmadian, Mohamad Soltanolkottabi, Mohamad Soltani, Pouyan Ebrahimi, Ali Ebrahimi, Mostafa Fakhar.
Temperature..........: 10 c
Apparent-Sunset......: 18:17
Instrument...........: Telescope
Atmosphere...........: Superb
Telescope Diameter...: 350mm
Telescope Type.......: Schmidt-Cassegrain
Tele-FirstVisib......: 18:19
Note From ICOP: This is very important picture, because this observation holds the minimum lag-time for seen crescent, that is 20 minutes. Using Accurate Times, we have the following information about this crescent:-
- Topocentric Moon Age: 25 Hours and 02 Minutes
- Moon Lag Time: 20 Minutes
- Topocentric Relative Altitude: 04°:03':44"
- Topocentric Elongation: 12°:04':13"
- Topocentric Relative Azimuth: 11°:22':11"

Iraq: Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Bacil Moudhaffar said: "The crescent was not seen on Wed. 12.09.2007 by naked eye nor by binoculars."

Kuwait: Not Seen/Hazy: ICOP member Mr. Hussain Khushaish said: "In Kuwait on Wednesday 12 Sep 2007 I and a group of 65 persons went to Kabed desert to see the crescent but the crescent was not seen even with 20*60 binoculars. The sun disc disappeared at 17:48 thats 10 minutes before our local sunset. The western horizon was hazy up to 8 degrees with fine dust and thats why we did not align our 8" telescope the previous night. I have a request from sighting members please mention your local sunset time and when did the sun disappeared, when the crescent was seen, till when, weather with naked eyes or with binocular or telescope."

Saudi: Not Seen/Hazy: ICOP member Mr. Saleh Al-Saab said: "Happy Ramadhan for you and your families , the weather was dusty and the crescent was only 4 degrees above horizon here."

Qatar: Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. Ibrahim Muhammad mentioned that it was totally cloudy.

Oman: Seen: Mr. Mohammed Al Bussaidi said: "Concerning the crescent moon I sighted it using a finderscope on the Meade LX200 at just prior to sunset (one minute). It was raining with CB's around the western horizon half an hour before sunset, that helped to clear the area. The slender crescent was apparent, at sunset time the clouds covered the moon. At Jebel Shams it was raining and has been raining for the last 4 days at the mountain."

UAE: Not Seen/Hazy: ICOP member Mr. Mohammad Odeh said: "Dusty and partly cloudy, thus no crescent was seen even by 10" telescope. We tried to observe the crescent from the desert between Abu-Dhabi and Al-Ain, I observed with my friends in CCC, who are:

Bashar Abu-Sultan
Mahmoud Kaddoura
Khaled Ashraf
Amr Ashraf"

Jordan: Not Seen: JAS member Mr. Ridwan Abu Hilalah said: "The Crescent Observation committee of JAS has tried to observe the crescent from Marj Al Hamam from Western Amman, using binoculars and 10" telescope, but no crescent was seen.

Libya:Not Seen: ICOP member Captin Salem Sahid said: "The cresent was not seen on Wedensday 12/09/2007." Mr. Sahid mentioned that he couldn't see the crescent by naked eye despite the clear sky.

Tunisia:Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Dhaker Bin Hammamia mentioned that he couldn't see the crescent even by telescope.

Algeria:

Not Seen/Hazy: ICOP member Mr. Bankih Kacem said: "The western horizon was partly cloudy and hazy. the sun set behind clouds before 18:15 LT. About 36 persons were present in Merkich station. The new crescent Ramadan 1428 wasn't seen. Ramadan 1428 mubarek wa maqbul."

Not Seen: Prof. Karim Yelles said: "Here in Algeria we started Ramadhan on Thursday September 13th as the crescent was not seen before."

Not Seen/Hazy: ICOP member Mr. Houcine Chikh Aissa said: "More than 18 persons were prensent in N'tissa station. Ramadan 1428 crescent was not seen neither by naked eyes nor by binoculars (02). The western horizon was partly cloudy and hazy. The Sun set Behind clouds almost at 17:19. Ramadan 1428 Mubarek for all Muslimeen."

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

Senegal: Cloudy: ICOP member Dr. Abdoulaye Gaye said: "Hilal was not seen anywhere in Senegal and the Gambia this Wednesday 29th of Shaaban. The official first day of Ramadan Mubarak will be Friday, 14 for Senegal as stated by the National Committee in charge for sighting the new crescent."

South Africa: Seen: ICOP member Dr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim said: "The Ramadaan Hilaal was sighted from Rustenburg (near Johannesburg) this Wednesday evening, the end of the 29th of Shabaan 1428 AH. Cape Town had inclement weather. The official first day of Ramadaan in South Africa will correspond to Thursday, 13 September 2007.09.12"

Tanzania:

Seen: ICOP member Mr. Sherally Hussein said: "Islamic local radio has announced that the Ramadhan new crescent has been seen by a considerable number of people and tomorrow is the first day of fasting of the month of Ramadhan. Kullu aamin wa antum bi kheir."

Seen: ICOP member Mr. Gulamhussein Amjid Hussein said: "The Hilal was seen in Tanzania on Wednesday evening, and Tanzania (includes Zanzibar), Kenya, and I think Rwana/Burundi have declared today, Thursday, as first day of the blessed month. We are over-joyed that Saudia this time did not declare moon “sighting” on Tuesday, and there is no confusion this time."

Seen: ICOP member Mr. Zaffar Sheriff said: "The sky was relatively clear at sunset. Later smog layer became a barrier to observe the crescent with naked eyes. Four of us managed to have a glimpse of the faint crescent by binoculars. Reunion and Antananarivo confirmed sightings during our sunset. All over Tanzania, Thursday 13th Sept has been declared 1st of the Holy Month."

Nigeria:

Seen: ICOP member Mr. Usman Dukku said: "12 of us attempted sighting the crescent in a group here in Bauchi but we did not see it even though the sky was clear." Mr. Dukku added later on "However we later received a confirmed sighting report from three of our members who sighted the moon in a group of 15 observers at a location in the outskirts of Bauchi."

Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. Aminu Lukuman said: "Several members of the Zumratul Jamiu Muminu Society of Nigeria(ZJMSN) tried to sight the crescent at different locations in Lagos State but could not be sighted as the sky was full of thick clouds. Meanwhile, the ZJMSN said the search for the crescent continue on Thursday."

Spain: Not Seen: ICOP member Mr. Muhammad del Pozo said: "The 12 September was for us the 29 of Shaban. The new Hilal was not seen. We wait for news, but no one of the brothers in Spain or Morocco see the new Hilal. So we´ll complete 30 days and will start fasting on Friday 14 September. Ramadan Mubarak."

France: Seen: Dr. Peter Aniol said: "I am just back from a trip to southern France, where I tested the new Astelco lunar crescent telescope system. Attached you find the raw image of the crescent at 9:32 UT yesterday (Wednesday 12 September) morning in broad daylight. I had the moon on the monitor the whole day until sunset. Visually no chance!"
Note from ICOP: Kindly notice that the observer was NOT able to see the crescent even through telescope! The crescent was ONLY captured using a CCD camera, but it was NOT seen even through a telescope. Dr. Peter added later on:
"Location was: +44.01 latitude, 05.50.51 East, longitude, Southern France, 568m altitude.
Date: 12.09.2007, Time: 9:32 U.T.
Lunar distance from the sun: 10deg38arcmin
Lunar distance to horizon: 29deg

Telescope System: Astelco Lunar Crescent Telescope ALCT. This system consits of the high precision NTM mount, 4 inch Apochromatic Lens with Carbon Fiber Optical Tube and special dielectric coating, Filterwheel, 16bit CCD Module.
With this telescope it was possible to point very precise (within some arcsec) the moon limb and bring it onto the CCD chip. With the filter combination used, it was possible to see the crescent in broad daylight on the monitor the whole day long until sunset."

Ramadan Crescent on Wednesday 12 September at 09:32 UT at broad daytime using the Lunar Crescent Telescope

Germany: Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. Ibrahim Leibfried mentioned that it was partly cloudy, and the crescent was not seen by naked eye nor by binoculars.

UK:

Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti said: "I am travelling and unable to perform the obligatory sighting today for the UK on 29 Sha'ban or Wednesday, 12th of September. However, I have received news that sighting is not possible in Oxford because the horizon there is overcast. Nevertheless, news of positive sightings to the East of UK today, such as in South Africa, despite not being able to sight locally in the UK, makes it sufficient for those in the UK to establish the month of Ramadan [thubut al-hilal] for the UK to be tomorrow, Thursday, the 13th of September."

Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. Sulayman Gani said: "Very Cloudy in South West London - Sighting was attempted immediatedly after sunset -NOT SEEN. Received reports of hilaal sighting from South Africa. First Ramadaan officially declared in UK 13 September 2007 Thursday"

Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. Abdurrashid Ayoubi from Kettering said: "It was cloudy on the western horizon. Did not see the hilal."

Bosnia and Herzegovi: Cloudy: ICOP member Mr. Kemal Sehbajraktarevic mentioned that it was totally cloudy.

USA:

Not Seen by naked eye: ICOP member Mr. Milad Ali Ershaghi from (Claremont, CA) said: "Local sunset time was 7:02pm and moonset time was 7:32pm I attempted to perform a naked eye sighting between 7:15-7:32pm at the intersection of Live Oak Canyon Rd. and Baseline Rd. in the city of Claremont, CA, USA (34.096619 latitude, -117.719147 longitude, 365 meters altitude) but did not see the new crescent moon. The sky was hazy - this possibly being a reason for the non-sighting. My wife also attempted to sight the moon with a group of her friends from a different location in Southern California: 30801 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA, USA - between 7:00-7:40pm, at the beach, directly overlooking the ocean, but she too did not see the new crescent moon."

Not Seen: ICOP member, Mr. Gulamabbas Khakoo from (Long beach, CA) said: "Today Wed. Sept 12, 2007 I was unable to sight the crescent here in Signal Hill (Long Beach Area) California. I tried to sight from 7:00pm to 7:45pm local time but failed due to some cloud at the sighting area. Weather Condition was as follows: Temp: 69 deg F ; Humidity:59%; Wind from W 6 MPH. However the Ramadhan crescent was seen in Euston, TX. by some of our Muslim brothers. Therefore, SIIJLA Community here in Los Angeles will observe Thursday, Sept. 13, as the 1st Day of Ramadhan."

Seen: Mr. Muhammed Billah from (NY) said: "This is to tell you that I was praying Maghrib in Jamaica Muslim Center, NY (Telephone: 718-739-3182) on that day Maghrib salat delayed for 20 minutes because some brothers with Imam went to see the Hilla, after salat two Brothers (Br. Aftab Mannan and Br. Delwar Hussain) they are regular mussullies of this Mosque claimed that they saw the Hillal on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 after sunset."

Not Seen: Mr. Mosleh-Uddin Ahmed from (NJ) said: "I am a regular moon watcher (with binoculars), and try to see the new crescent (Hilaal) almost every month (weather permitting) for many years (about 25 years). As usual, yesterday (September 12) I, with my wife and daughter, looked for the Ramadan crescent at a selected site in New Jersey, which is about 100 miles south west of the New York City (local sunset time: 7:11 PM, moonset time 7:32 PM). It was a very clear sky with low moisture, very ideal condition for Hilaal sighting, and I know where to look for the crescent (specially due to the solar eclipse the previous day). But we did NOT see the crescent yesterday (Sept 12)."

Not Seen: ICOP member, Dr. Salman Shaikh from (NJ) said: "I too tried to sight the Hilal in New Jersey on Wednesday evening along with others and could not sight.In my information"

Guyana: Cloudy: ICOP member Dr. Muhammad Hafiz said: "Myself and the members of Rose Hall Town Masjids and Islamic Center tried to observe the Hilaal after sunset on Wednesday, 12th September, 2007 in Guyana. Due to rainy clouds on the horizon, Hilaal observation was made impossible. However, the Hilaal was seen in other Muslims communities such as (# 71 Village etc) and the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana has also confirmed sighting in Guyana via TV on the 12th of September, 2007, thus as predicted by the visibility curve once more Ramadan fast begins for the majority of Muslims in Guyana on Thursday."

The OFFICIAL First Day in Different Countries

Wednesday 12 September 2007:

Libya (Conjunction Before Dawn)
Nigeria (NSCIA, Calculations)
China (and on Thursday)

Thursday 13 September 2007:

Australia
Indonesia
Malaysia
Singapore
Iran
Saudi
Kuwait
UAE
Bahrain
Qatar
Yemen
Jordan
Palestine
Syria
Lebanon
Egypt
Tunis
Algeria
South Africa
Tanzania
Namibia
Angola
Botswana
Zimbabwe
Uganda
Malawi
Turkey
Holland
Belgium
France
Austria
Germany
Norway
Sweden
Bosnia
UK
Mexico
USA (ISNA)
Canada
Guyana
China (and on Wednesday)
Philippines (and on Friday)

Friday 14 September 2007:

New Zealand
Sri Lanka
Pakistan
Morocco
Senegal
Spain
Philippines (and on Thursday)

Ramadan Beginning World Map

ICOP Official Statement

Kindly Click Here to read ICOP official statement (Arabic).

Saudi Will Look for The Crescent on Monday 28 Shaban!

Surprisingly, Saudi announced officially on Saturday 08 September 2007 that they are not sure of the beginning of both; Rajab and Shaban, and hence they will look for Ramadan crescent on Monday 10 September!! So Ramadan could start in Saudi on Tuesday 11 September!! We wonder how they will look for the crescent on Monday, when it is impossible to be seen on Tuesday, and it will NOT be seen by naked eyes from Saudi even on Wednesday!!

When to Observe Shaban Waning (OLD) Crescent ?

The geocentric conjunction (Geocentric New Moon) will occur Inshalla on (Tuesday 11 September 2007) at 12:44 UT.
Sighting the OLD crescent on (Monday 10 September 2007) and on (Tuesday 11 September 2007) is shown in the below graphs using the program Accurate Times by Mohammad Odeh according to Odeh criterion. Where:-

It is impossible to see the OLD crescent from the areas located under the red color. Because either the Moon on this day rises after the Sunrise and/or the topocentric conjunction occurs before the Sunrise.
The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid only from the areas located under the blue color.
The crescent is expected to be seen by optical aid from the areas located under the magenta color. In these areas the crescent could be seen by naked eye if the atmospheric conditions are superb and the observer is experienced.
The crescent is expected to be easily visible by naked eye from the areas located under the green color.
The crescent can not be seen from uncolored areas, even though the Moon rises in these locations before the Sunrise and the topocentric conjunction occurs after the Sunrise, but the Moon is not sufficiently illuminated in order to be seen as crescent even by optical aid.
Kindly notice that the below graph shows the possibility of seeing the crescent from areas between 60 degrees north of Equator down to 60 degrees south of Equator.

Monday 10 September 2007

Tuesday 11 September 2007

Shaban Waning (OLD) Crescent Observation Results

Monday 10 September 2007:

Indonesia:

Seen: ICOP member Mr. Sudibyo Ma'rufin said: "The waning crescent sighting was done in Wates, Kulonprogo, Yogyakarta Special Region (position: 7deg 37min South 110deg 09min East, 5 m ASL, time zone: GMT + 7). We used instruments: an internal-clock at Siemens C-55 phone that calibrated with 103 reference time that served by Telkom Co.Ltd and a 7 x 35 binocular. When observation was started at 05:00 local time, the sky was very clear and several stars that have magnitude greater than +1,0 was seen easily. The crescent was seen too, at altitude ± 5 degree approximately. Orientation of the crescent was 3 - 7. The crescent was seen for last at 05:30 local time (with binocular). Until we detected sunrise at 05:39 local time, situation hasn't changed."

Seen: ICOP member, Mr. AR Sugeng Riyadi said: "I observer by myself after praying shubuh. I used my naked eye tobservere the old crescent and as soon as possible I take it by my DSLR Canon Camera. I'm very glad to see this morning crescent. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds."

Iraq: Seen: ICOP member Mr. Bacil Moudhaffar said: "Waning crescent was easily seen from about 5:55 am until about 6:20 am this morning Monday 10-09-2007, sun raise local time about 6:41 am."

International Astronomical Center

ICOP

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