International Astronomical Center

In this page:-

• When to Observe ?
• Results of Observation
• The First Day in Different Countries
• AUASS Official Statement
• The Accuracy of The Astronomical Calculations.

- Saturday 15 December 2001: On this day, the program Moon Calculator by Dr. Monzur Ahmed -according to Yallop criterion- showed that Inshalla the crescent should be seen by naked eyes from parts of America Continents, and by optical aids from parts of Africa Continent.

- ACCORDING TO THE ACTUAL SIGHTING OF THE CRESCENT, THE START OF SHAWWAL SHOULD BE ON Sunday 16 December from some western countries, or Monday 17 December from other eastern countries.

- Kindly click on the below icon to see the visibility parabola as plotted by the program Moon Calculator

- 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.

• Indonesia:
  1. Mr. Abdul-Aziez Bahalwan said: "Finally The government of Indonesia decided 1 Shawwal will be on 16 December 2001. Some witnesess have seen the crescent in East Jakarta, Pelabuhan Ratu (West Java) and Malang (East Java) after being sworn by Religion Department of the Government of Indonesia."

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Suwandojo Siddiq said: "Although astronomical calculation (MoonC 6.0 Monzur A and Astronom 8.3) indicated that at sunset Saturday 15-Dec-2001CE, the Hilal (Crescent) will NOT be visible from Jakarta and/or Indonesia Region, but mostly Islamic Organizations in Indonesia (who are still using "Wujudul-Hilal" concept) have stated that 01-Shawwal-1422H is corresponding to Sunday 16-Dec. 2001 CE. At 19:30 Western Indonesia Time (WIB = GMT + 7 hrs), Saturday 15-December-2001 CE, through the Television of Republic Indonesia (TVRI), the Minister of Religious Affair, Prof. DR. A. Munawwar, announced that Celebration of 'Iedul Fitri 01-Shawwal-1422H, for the Indonesian Region, is corresponding to Sunday, 16-December-2001CE. Allow me to express: Iedul Fitri Mubarak to all ICOP member, we hope that ALLAH swt accept our worship. Taqabbalal-Lahu minna wa min kum."

• Malaysia: ICOP member, Mr. Kassim Bahali said: "I tried see the hilal by Meade LX200 8" but it was not seen. The western sky was partly cloudy. The goverment announced that 1st of Shawwal begins on Sunday, 16 Dec. 2001. The month of Ramadhan is 29 days."

• Philippines: ICOP member, Mr. Mama Mangorangca said: "We did not see hilal this evening here in Southern Philippines."

• Brunei: ICOP member, Mr. Mahadi Mohamad Tahir said: "On 15/12/2001, I went to a place, normally used for moon sighting called Pelabuhan Ratu (Long :106° 33’ 28” E, Lat : 07° 01’ 45” & Alt : 60m above sea level). The place is accepted by Brunei as one of the place of same matla’ with Brunei. I was equipped with Nikon Total Station capable enlarge objects up to about 15 times. The sunset on that day, 18:05 hrs and the weather was clear at first and became cloudy during sunset. The sun set behind the cloud. Certainly 3 minutes after sunset (18:08 hrs), two persons have claimed saw the crescent with their naked eyes. I tried to see the crescent with my total station at the area where the crescent claimed to be seen and saw nothing except the cloud. The claimed by the two persons then was accepted. No crescent was reported seen anywhere in Brunei, however, the first day of Syawal starts on Sunday 16/12/2001 in Brunei because the authority in Brunei accepted the claimed of the sighting in Indonesia."

• India: ICOP member Dr. Sultan Ismail said: "We in India celebrated Eid-ul-fitr today Monday the 17th december. As the weather was cloudy we could not see the crescent and hence waited for thirty days fasting to be completed. alhamdu lillah, eid mubarak"

• Iran:
  1. ICOP member, Mr. AliReza Mehrani said: "Esfahan is rainy, and it is impossible to do the observation crescent at present."

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Saeed Janghorban said: "In Esfahan the sky was completely cloudy and we didn’t try to observe the crescent."

  3. ICOP member, Mr. Asadollah Khoddam Mohammadi said: "Iran TV announced that Sunday 16 December 2001 is the first day of Shawwal in Iran. (most of Iran was cloudy)."

• Mauritius: ICOP member, Mr. Hamade Aubdoollah said: "Please note that no crescent was visible from Mauritius on Saturday 15th Dec 2001.Consequently first of Shawwal will be on Monday 17th Dec 2001. Eid Mubarak to one and all."

• Saudi:
  1. ICOP member, Mr. Anwar Al Muhammad said: "We as a group of more than 40 persons tried to sight the new crescent of Shawaal in Sutarday 15 December 2001. It was out side urban in the desert 100 km north west of Dammam (Eastern Area of Saudi Arabia. The western horizon was partially cloudy specially in the position and the path of the crescent, so we could not sight the crescent. However, some members of other groups claimed that they saw it. For example, Ismail Al- Ubdolmohsen (ICOP-member) tould me that 7 members of his group (65 members) saw it in Al Ahasa which is 200 km south west of Dammam. Also, three persons from other group in that place also claimed that they saw it. I called one of them who insure his visibility and gave an astronomically reasonable description to its shape, position, and time of visibility (5:05 pm, locally) and time of set. Finally, around 8 persons from different groups insisted that they saw the crescent in our place (Al Qateef) and tomorrow, Sunday 16, most probably will be 1st of Shawaal (Eid Alfitr Almubarak)."

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Ismail Al-Abdulmohsen said: "A group of more than 70 poeple went to an area between Al-Hassa and Riyadh 61 KM from Al-Hassa E 49:08:754 and N 25:22:405 at Elevation Above Sea-Level 313 Meters. When we arrived at 4:00PM it was cloudy and we hoped it will be cleared soon. At 4:55PM after sunset one man (Abbas Al-Khlaf) claimed he can see the Hilal in an open area of the clouds and I asked him to make sure since no one could see it, and after two minutes he could not see it and at 5:02PM one man (Hussain Al-Kamees) claimed he can see it and then the first man confirmed he can also see it in the same area, and at that time we ask him to show us the area by the Binocular and he could not see it. For the rest of the group it was cloudy and at 5:05PM three more men claimed they can see it and at 5:08 two more men claimed they can see it. For us the area still cloudy and we ask them if they saw the sun at sun set and only one of them claimed he saw the sun at sunset. Therefore, I can not confirm their sighting because of the clouds in the area. Other reports from other group indicates few people claimed they saw it in the area and from asking them about the time of sighting and the elvation I can clearly say they were wrong in their claims."

• Jordan: ICOP member, Mr. Moh'd Odeh said: "An attempt was done to observe the crescent from Ar-Rajif Mountains (230 Km away from Amman). Unfortunately, the sky was almost clear except at the western horizon!"

• Palestine: ICOP member, Mr. Ayman Tirhi said: "We tried to observe the crescent today from Jerusalem area but as expected, it was not seen even with binoculars which agrees with the astronomical calculations."

• Algeria: ICOP member, Mr. Bankih Bankacem said: "The Western horizon was clear with a short hazy band. Neither the crescent nor Mercury was seen. There were 21 persons in our group. In addition, three other groups in different location nearby Beni-Isguen did not observed it."

• Morocco:
  1. Dr. Abdelkhalek Cheddadi said: "The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs announced that the crescent was not observed. So 1st of Shawwal will be on monday, December 17 Insha Allah. Eid saiid !"

  2. ICOP member, Prof. Hamid TOUMA said: "At 20 hours (UT) The Moroccan Gouvernement has announced that the Crescent was not seen in Morocco. So the first day of Shawwal is Monday 17 December 2001. I would like to take this opportunity to wish a Good AID FITR to all members of ICOP and to all Muslims in the world."

• Kenya: ICOP member, Mr. Mahmood Essa said: "Please be informed that I tried to look for the Shawwal crescent this evening , Saturday, without optical aids and was not able to sight the new crescent. Thus Insha Allah we shall complete 30 days of Ramadhaan tomorrow and will celebrate Eid Ul Fitr on Monday 17/12/01 which will be the first day of Shawaal for most of us here in Kenya. Those few who decided to go with Saudi Arabia as usual, will have completed 30 days today and will celebrate Eid tomorrow. I hereby take this opportunity to wish all ICOP members a blessed and happy Eid Ul Fitr."

• South Africa:
  1. ICOP member, Mr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim Snr said: "The Hilaal for Shawaal 1422 was reportedly sighted after Maghrib (Johannesburg local time - 20h 20) from the Islamic complex called 'Mia's Farm' in the Gauteng Province of South Africa this 15 day of December 2001. Ramadaan in South Africa was therefore a 29 day lunar month. The United Ulama Council of South Africa have accepted this sighting report. South Africa will observe the Holy Day of Eid-ul-Fitr (first day of Shawaal 1422) on Sunday 16 December 2001. I have no details of the sighting and I shall try to make this available if I am able to obtain same. I was at the sighting location at Three Anchor Bay in Cape Town. There were approximately 7 000 Muslims gathered in this area. It was a wonderful experience. There was heavy cloud cover on the western horizon after astronomical sunset with a fair amount of haze. The local weather conditions were not condusive for a positive sighting. I take this opportunity in wishing the global Ummah a Blessed Eid."

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Hashim Salie said: "Due to a heavy cloud band on the western horizon, the hilaal was not sighted in Cape Town and surrounds. However, authenticated reports from the North West Province of South Africa, in a town called Waterval, the hilaal was reported to be sighted. The Ulamaa ush Sharee thus declared Eidul Fitr, Koelloe Aam wa antoem bi knayr." Kindly click here to see some photos for the observation.

• Nigeria:
  1. ICOP member, Mr. Usman Dukku said: "The authorities have declared Saturday 15 December 2001 the first day of Shawwal following claims of sighting of the crescent from some places, including Bauchi where I recide. On 14 December, the moon set 12 minutes before the sun and the New Moon was at 21:47 local time (nearly four hours after sunset) on the day in question. However the majority of the people did not followed the directive and continued fasting today."
     He added in another E-mail:
     "17 of us searched for the crescent, here in Bauchi, but we did not see it, even with 10x50 binoculars, probably due to the thin clouds over the western horizon. However, today has already been celebrated as Eid following the authorities' approval of claimed sighting of the crescent yesterday from several places in the country, including Bauchi. It may however be noted that the moon set 12 minutes before sunset and the New Moon was at 21:47 LT(nearly four hours after sunset) yesterday at Bauchi. It may also be noted that the majority of the people did not go by the official directive and continued fasting today. "

  2. ICOP member, Dr. Sani Mustapha said: "Moon not sighted by me due to separation of 22hrs."

• Bosnia and Herzegovi: ICOP member, Mr. Kemal Sehbajraktarevic said: "Sky over most of Bosnia was cloudy and foggy, therefore crescent couldnt be seen. First day of month Shewal and Eid in Bosnia is tomorrow-Sunday -(moonset after sunset criteria). According to the Mooncalculator it should be on Monday. Eid mubarak. May Allah forgive us (them)."

• Germany: ICOP member, Mr. Kadir Yucel mentioned that it was cloudy.

• UK: ICOP member, Mr. Mohammad Baig said: "London was cloudy but a sighting would have been highly unlikely even with the clear skies. However, due to the age of the moon the majority has gone for Saturday. Eid Mubarak to all ICOP members, many thanks to Mohammed Odeh for his relentless efforts and a personal thanks to Hamid Touma (ICOP Morocco) for his assistance to us in the UK. Our mission must carry on; we have gained a lot of ground and recognition since our early days. Inshallah, we are on course to resolve this issue and the message is slowly but surely reaching more and more people every year."

• USA:
  1. ICOP member, Mr. Muhammad Hafiz said: "I looked for the new crescent on 14th, December 2001 at 6:00 pm in Opa Locka, Florida, USA but it was not seen and there were no clouds on the horizon. I looked for the new crescent in Opa Lacoka, Florida, USA on the 15th, December 2001, starting at 5:45 pm and ending at 6:27 pm. there were patchy clouds on the horizon especially around where the sun set, thus crescent observation was impossible."

  2. ICOP member, Mr. Jim Stamm said: "The clouds started to part just before sunset. I was able to set my scope on the sun and engage the drive. After offsetting to the Moon's position, I followed the scope, and at 5:42 (MST - 00:42 UT) saw the crescent in 5x25 binoculars through holes in the clouds. At 5:45 the Hilal was visible to the naked eye. My son Josh also viewed the crescent."

  3. ICOP member, Dr. Ahmad Raza Khan said: "Due to a partial cloudy weather, the moon crescent was not observed in Wayne Nebraska (USA) even though we tried hard to look at the sky tonight. I am hopeful that some of the brothers and sisters at western states of USA (Colorado, Utah, Arizona and California) would have seen the crescent and will report soon on thier sightings as they were expected to have clear skies."

  4. ICOP member, Mr. Gulamabbas Khakoo said: "Sighted the crescent of Shawwal here in Long Beach CA. on dec 15th, 2001 local time 5:15p.m. (17:15 hrs). The top horn of crescent was slightly to the left of 12 and bottom horn of crescent slightly below 8. It was thin and on left side of sunset. May ALLAH accept our prayers, fasting and forgive our shortcomings. With Salaams and Dua's."

  5. ICOP member, Dr. Mohib.N.Durrani said: "The Hilal for Shawwal 1422 AH was visible from many places in the south central and western parts of USA. South eastern part was overcast with clouds. Eid-ul-Fitr is Sun 16 Dec 2001. This also completes 30 days of fasting for those who started on Fri 16 Nov 2001."

• Guyana: ICOP member, Mr. Muhammad Hafiz said: "I spoke to Sultan Hafiz the Imam of Rose Hall town Masjid at 6:30 pm on 15th, December 2001. He said that the new crescent observation was attempted at Rose Hall town Masjid by himself and the members. No crescent was seen because there were clouds on the horizon and it was very windy. He is still waiting from calls from other communities or Masjids in Guyana, since Guyana is present in the zone of the curve where the difficulty is decreased and other communities might see the crescent, Inshallah."
  He added in another E-mail:-
  "Five minutes after I sent my first email on sighting for Shawwal 1422 in Florida and Rose Hall town in Guyana; I receive a phone call from Sultan Hafiz the Imam of Rose Hall town Masjid saying that the crescent was seen just after sunset by Muslims in Essiquibo, Guyana. Eid Ul Fitir for the entire Guyana will be on Sunday, 16th December, 2001. Eid Ul Fitir will also be on Sunday for Muslims who started fasting on Saturday 17th and for those Muslims who started fasting by following Saudi Arabia in the USA."

• Trinidad and Tobago: ICOP member, Dr. Shirin Haque-Copilah said: "There was a confirmed sighting of the crescent from the Lady Young Lookout in Port of Spain by two men and several women. Although there were cloudy conditions, it was seen briefly. The sighting has been accepted and Eid is tomorrow Sunday 16 December, 2001 in Trinidad and Tobago."
  He added in another E-mail:-
  "Just to let you all know that the Crescent was sighted briefly by a group ,in Trinidad although we had bleak weather . So Eid is tomorrow, Sunday 16 December. We were at the periphery of the 'easily visible' part of the visibility curve. The country has accepted the scientific aspects of moonsighting , and I send information to the newspapers as to where to look for the Hilal and by what time it should set etc. We also run a 5-minute program on the local televison channels showing a simulation of the evening sky and the setting sun and the moon as it sets also. The information is also available on my website www.shirin.info This year, Ramadan started without a hitch all together on Saturday 17 November and Eid all together on Sunday 16 December. Where the population remains divided is which sighting to accept. They are basically divided into three groups - local (i.e Trinidad alone , i believe), regional (Caribbean, Guyana, Venezuela etc) and international (that follows the USA). Ofcourse there are the smaller groups that follow Saudi too. There seems to be no effort on the parts of the authority to try to unite on that front. Eid Mubarak to all members of ICOP! Good job on your tremendous efforts!"

The OFFICIAL First Day in Different Countries

Saturday 15 December:-

1. Thailand (Claim of Sighting).
2. Nigeria (Claim of Sighting).
3. Libya (Conjunction before Mid-Night).

Sunday 16 December:-

1. Maldives (30 Ramadan)
2. Saudi (30 Ramadan)
3. Kuwait (30 Ramadan)
4. UAE (30 Ramadan)
5. Bahrain (30 Ramadan)
6. Qatar (30 Ramadan)
7. Yemen (30 Ramadan)
8. Iraq (30 Ramadan)
9. Jordan (30 Ramadan)
10. Palestine (30 Ramadan)
11. Syria (30 Ramadan)
12. Lebanon (30 Ramadan)
13. Egypt (30 Ramadan)
14. Sudan (30 Ramadan)
15. Tunisia (30 Ramadan)
16. Algeria (30 Ramadan)
17. Norway (30 Ramadan)
18. Indonesia
19. Malaysia
20. Brunei
21. Iran
22. Oman
23. South Africa
24. Bosnia and Herzegovi
25. UK
26. USA
27. Canada
28. Guyana
29. Trinidad and Tobago

Monday 17 December:-

1. Mauritius
2. India
3. Pakistan
4. Morocco

• Click on the following link to read the original AUASS statement. Page 1 | Page 2

• Click here to read the AUASS statement as appeared in Al-Ra'i Jordanian Newspaper.

The Accuracy of The Astronomical Calculations

To know about the accuracy of the astronomical calculations, then please click here