International Astronomical Center

Thursday 04 May

• Singapore: ICOP member, Mr. Firdaus Yahya said: "With regards to Safar 1421, according to the calendar set by the Islamic Council of Singapore, 1 Safar 1421 in Singapore corresponds to Friday, 5 May 2000."

• Saudi: ICOP member, Mr. Saleh Al-Saab mentioned that the sky was cloudy.

• South Africa:
  1. ICOP member, Dr. John Caldwell said: "(cloud band about 1 deg up but the last 20 min was clear at moon position) (the first 15 min from sunset moon was in stripy cirrus) (very careful negative observation, using nearby Aldebaran to test pointing of mounted-pointed binoculars) (good/improving conditions at moon location, sky generally clear but for cirrus in one quarter)."

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Hashim Salie said: "No crescent was seen on Thursday, 4 May 2000. The Muslim Judicial Council issued a press release that 1 Safar 1421 shall be on Saturday, 6 May 2000."

• Morocco: ICOP member, Dr. Hamid TOUMA said:" I am very glad to inform you that the first day of Safar in Morocco was Friday 5 May 2000. At Rabat we have not seen the crescent on Thursday because the Western horizon was totally cloudy. The Moroccan Government has announced that it has been seen on Thursday after the sunset. However, on Friday 15 mn after the Sunset, we have seen a very good (large) Crescent (25° on Altitude). As you know, the new Moon was on Thursday at 4 O'Oclock past 13mn (AM) in the Morning, and at 19 h after the Sunset the Crescent has only 15 hours of life. It is a very young Crescent to be observed. But all depends on if...Sure that the Crescent was in the Moroccan sky on Thursday 4 May 2000 but it has only 15 hours of life, so we can accept that the first day of Safar is Friday 5 May 2000."

• Mexico: Mr. Muhammad Hafiz said: "MAY 3RD, 2000. THE HORIZON WAS CLEAR WITH NO CLOUDS BUT NO CRESCENT WAS SEEN AT SUNSET 8:40 PM (MEXICO TIME).

  MAY 4TH, 2000. THE HORIZON WAS PARTLY OBSTRUCTED BY CLOUDS BUT NO CRESCENT WAS SEEN AT SUNSET 8:40 PM (MEXICO TIME)."

Friday 05 May

• Iran:
  1. ICOP member, Mr. AliReza Mehrani said: "The thickness of the crescent was so much that we saw it before the sunset by means of binoculars. Three of the members of ATCA who will soon be members of ICOP participated with me in this program. I have prepared a photo of crescent which I will send it to you soon. The first of Safar in Iran will be 6th of May."
     Moon Crescent, on 05 May at 19:55 LT.
     NiKon FM2, Lens: 300mm. 1/4 s Exp. Konica 100.
     From Adib Center, Esfahan, Iran. By Alireza Mehrani.
     

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Asadollah Khoddam Mohammadi mentioned that he was able to see the crescent by naked eyes.

• Yemen: ICOP member, Dr. Mojahid Najem said: "YEMEN HAS STARTED SAFAR ON FRIDAY. ON THURSDAY THE SKY WAS CLOUDY IN SANA'A BUT TODAY (FRIDAY) IT WAS CLEAR AND THE CRESCENT WAS EASILY SEEN AND STAYED FOR LONG TIME."

  Jordan: Beautiful Crescent!

• Syria: ICOP member, Dr. Jalal Khanji said: "Two members had seen the crecsent ( Dr. Khanji & Dr. Bilani ) as well as a child of 10 years old Zafir Saeed Nahhas. In Syria " officially " the first day of Safar is 06.05.2000 Saturday "

• Kenya: ICOP member, Mr. Mahmood Essa said: " I am pleased to inform you that I sighted the new crescent of Safar quite easily this evening after sunset, as predicted, and thus tomorrow is the first day of Safar in Kenya."

• South Africa: ICOP member, Mr. Hashim Salie said: "Friday, 5 May 2000, the crescent was seen easily and without any difficulty."

Friday 05 May:-

1. Singapore
2. Yemen
3. Jordan
4. Kenya
5. Morocco

Saturday 06 May:-

1. Iran
2. South Africa
3. Syria