Ramadan 1427
Fiqh Council of North America has adopted a pre-calculated calendar, and according to that the first day of (fasting in) Ramadan is Sep 23. This dates is based on the criterion adopted, that the moon is born before 12:00 Noon GMT [i.e., 3:00 PM Makkah Time or 0:00 at International Date Line (IDL)], which also means that such a moon will be old enough to be visible (weather permitting) somewhere on the globe before the end of the night in North America. This moon will be at least 18 hours old near the IDL in the Pacific Ocean at its local sunset time, and is sightable by naked eye in most months and by telescope in rare months.
The Astronomical New Moon is on Friday September 22, 2006 at 11:45 Universal Time (i.e., 7:45 EDT, and 4:45 PDT ). Looking at the visibility curve one can understand that the moon is impossible to be seen in any continent, although it is possible to be seen near the International Dateline southwest of Hawaii by telescope on September 22. On the same day at west coast of North America, the moon will be about 14 hours old, and about 1 degree above the horizon at sunset time, and will not be visible in North America. On September 23, 2006, the moon will start to become visible, by telescope from New Zealand and Australia, and by naked eye from Southern Africa, South & Central America. If atmospheric conditions are perfect, it can be seen in North America also on Sep. 23, otherwise it will be seen in North America on Sep 24.
If Matla'a is not restricted to 48 contiguous states of USA, and it is increased to include Alaska, Hawaii, and Pacific Ocean, then first day of Ramadan in North America is Saturday, September 23. Fiqh Council of North America has used this criterion.
Sighting Reports for Ramadan 1427
September 23, 2006 (Saturday):
Salah Sukkarieh from Sydney, Australia: Not Seen
I stayed from 5.30pm till 6:45pm. Best theoretical time for viewing was at
6:20pm LT. Moon age was 19hrs and 40mins. The new moon could not be seen in Sydney despite clear skies, a
telescope, and high zoom camera.
Imam Sefton from Sydney, Australia: Not Seen
We could not sight the moon all over the Australia on 23rd of september. so we decided to fast on 25th of september in NSW Australia.
Dr. Shabbir Ahmed, (MCW member) Imam of Rooty Hill Mosque, Sydney, Australia: Not Seen
The Hilaal of Ramadaan ul Mubaarak has not been sighted on Saturday 23rd of
September, 2006 anywhere in Australia, therefore moon-sighting committee of
Australia and Majlis ul Ulamaa of Australia have declared that the month of
Ramadaan ul Mubaarak will start from Monday 25th Sept.2006
Shahid Iqbal (MCW member) from Swabi, Pakistan: Not Seen
I was unable to see the new moon from my sighting location here in Swabi, Pakistan on 23 September 2006 (29 Shaaban 1427 Hijri). The sky was absolutly clear but the western horizon was suffocantingly polluted making the bright orange sun disappear a few minutes before its setting time (6:26 UTC). Moon altitude was only 2.81 degrees against the relative azimuth of -10.49 degrees.Which shows it will be impossible to be seen even in Karachi and the western coasts of Baluchistan.
Luminosity was 1.02%, whereas moon age was 25.39 hours. Magnitude and elongation were -5.13 and 11.20 respectively. Altitude at best time was -0.36 (below horizon) .Moon width was 0.28 m.Humidity: 54%, Dew Point:18C, Wind:Calm, Heat index:29C, Visibililty: 5Km.
Dr. Aqil Ahmad Sharifuddeen from Colombo, Sri Lanka: Seen
On Sep 23, Sun set time 06:06pm. Moon set time 06:39pm. Ramadan young crescent has been sighted in Sri Lanka - Nigombo and Kinniya arround 06:30pm LT and lasted for just few minutes above western horizon. The authority to declare the starting of new islamic month gathered in Colombo Grand Mosque this evening confirmed the sightig claims annd announced staring of Ramadan this night.
Hussain Khushaish (MCW member) from Kuwait: Not Seen
In Kuwait on Sat 23 sep 2006, I and a group of 60 persons could not sight the crescent even with 20*60 binocular fixed on tripod. The western horizon was clear exept from haze at the last 4 degrees above horizon.
Goolam Tegally from Mauritius: Seen
Here in Port Louis , Mauritius, moon was visible this evening (Saturday 23 Sep), and hence we start fasting Sunday 24 Sep. (1st Ramadhan). As a matter of fact, my Mutawalli and I went after our Maghrib prayers to the sea side (not far away), but he just happened to see the crescent but I could not. The sky was clear with a few clouds just over the horizon. I suspect some people saw the crescent just after sunset, while it was still up in the sky above the clouds.
Hamza Rijaal, (MCW member), from Island of Zanzibar, Africa: Seen
In a tiny island of Zanzibar we begun the Holy mmonth of Ramadhan today 24 September. It was cloudy yesterday however our brother in sister Island of Pemba they are the first to report that moons was sighted in 5 different spots on Sep 23, however in Unguja moon was sihgted with difficulties.
Neria Haroeh from Ramla Israel: Not Seen
I was unable to see the new moon from my sighting place at Moshav Matsliach, Israel (near Ramla). Lag. time was 23 min. No clouds.
Smajl Sarajlic from Vienna: Not Seen
We have not seen young moon hilal today on 23.09.2006. Vienna. [www.hilalbosna.com]
Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti (MCW member) from Oxford, UK: Not Seen
Negative sighting. I am not able to perform the sighting in Oxford but I
am able to report for Fez, Morocco, which is in the sighting zone [matla']
that can be relied upon for those in the UK. The moonspotters could not
sight the crescent. However, the Moroccan authorities have declared that
tomorrow (Sunday) is Ramadan, based on earlier positive sightings in the
East including in South Africa.
Rashid Motala (MCW member) from Durban, South Africa: Seen
The Hilaal for Ramadaan was sighted this evening in many places in SA. Sunday will be the 1st Ramadaan.
Dr Abdurrazak Ebrahim (MCW member) from Cape Town, S. Africa: Seen
The Ramadaan Hilaal was sighted this evening (Saturday, 23 September 2006) at the end of the 29 Shabaan 1427 AH in many parts of South Africa. I sighted the Hilaal at local time 19h14 from the Green Point lighthouse in Cape Town.
Ahmed Mohamed - Namibia Islamic Association: Seen
Alhamdullilah, the moon was sighted on 23rd Saturday just after sunset. From the masjid the present Muslims withness the new moon. Ramadan Karim
Bankih Kacem, (MCW member) from Beni Isguen, Ghardaïa, Algeria: Not Seen
More than fourty persons were prensent in Merkiche station. The Ramadan 1427 crescent was not seen either by naked eyes or by binoculars. The western horizon was partly cloudy and hazy. Other groups in Ghardaïa region didn't see the crescent.
Muhammed Yasin Qamardeen (MCW member) from Abuja, Nigeria: Seen in Zamfara
On Sep 23, Hilal of Ramadan is not visible here at Abuja due relative cloud sky at the base of western sky as result of rainfall early in the day, likewise Ilorin report indicate cloudy sky. However, report from Zamfara state indicate positive sighting of Hilal of Ramadan.
Muhammad Hafiz (MCW member) from Guyana: Seen
On Sep 23, The Hilaal was seen in Guyana as was reported by several Islamic organisations including the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana.
Javad Torabinejad (MCW member) from Blacksburg, Virginia: Not Seen
This evening (Saturday, September 23), I tried sighting the moon in Christiansburg, VA, without
success. The sky was partly cloudy and the western horizon was covered by a heavy haze. Soon after my arrival at the sighting location (before sunset, 7:17), I started scanning the western horizon, using a pair of 7x50
binoculars. I scanned the horizon till the time of moonset (7:44). I did not see Mercury either.
Abu Hamzah from Douglasville, Atlanta: Not Seen
On Sep 23, We did not see it here in Douglasville just west of Atlanta.
Ruth Jeffery (MCW member) from Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Not Seen
Due to overcast skies and an impending storm, we had no opportunity to view the crescent on Sept. 23.
AbdurRahmaan Abu Abdullaah (MCW member) from Columbia, South Carolina: Not Seen
Although today was sunny with only partly cloudy skys, and I was very optimistic about sighting the Hilaal of Ramadaan with a phase of 2.0% from Okaloosa Island, Florida, it did not happen. Equipped with my usual gear, including Nikon nautical binoculars with built-in compass, I scanned the horizon from 240 degrees to 270 degrees and from an evelation of 10 degrees above the horizon to the horizon, constantly from 18:41 CDT to 19:15 CDT. The stationary cloud front remained on the western horizon and would not budge. I had a beautifully clear sky above me. In fact, the only clouds were along the horizon, about 15 degrees above it, making any sighting impossible. The few holes I could find were simply not positioned correctly to allow any sighting.
Paul Burnham (MCW member) from Chino Valley, Arizona: Seen
I am pleased to report that the crescent moon was sighted from Chino Valley, Arizona this evening of September 23, 206. Initial sighting was at 1843 MST with binoculars and the thin arc appeared to span from 2 to 5 O'clock relative to the horizon. The crescent was followed with binoculars until the final tip disappeared below the horizon at 1851:35. At no time was the crescent visible to the naked eye, even when close to landmarks on the horizon for use as reference points. A somewhat brighter airline contrail was also invisible in that zone of the sky.
Mary Singer (MCW member) from Spokane, Washington State: Not Seen
I was not able to see the new lunar crescent from Spokane, WA. (USA)
I used10 x 50 binoculars, but could not locate the new moon from my usual location.
Sharaaz Khan (MCW member) from Wilton(Sacramento) California: Not Seen
My brother and I went shortly before Maghrib in Wilton (Sacramento) California, and stayed there till 7:36 pm. The Bay Area on the horizon had a thick layer of haze that made it very difficult to view the cresent. Not Seen.
Dr. Youssef Ismail (MCW member) and moonsighting team leader of Zaytuna Institue, from Windy Hill, San Francisco, California: Not Seen
A large group again came out to search for the new moon of Ramadan at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. We had clear skies, but a thick marine layer which resulted in a dark haze on the horizon. The new moon was not seen by us this evening.
Ali Rizavi from Hawaii: Seen
My wife and me sighted the new moon in Hawaii 6:50 p.m local time on Sep 23. It was about 15 degrees or there about above the horizon, I am not an expert at judging angles. Other Muslims in Hawaii have also seen this, the Muslim center here is starting Ramadan here tomorrow.
September 24, 2006 (Sunday):
Abbas Vakil Hussain from Dubai UAE: Seen
As on today , Sunday, the 24th of Sept-06 Al Hamdulilah the Crescent was visible not very high may be at 35 degrees and very thin less quarter size visible just before sunset for about 30 minutes.
Hussain Khushaish (MCW member) from Kuwait: Seen
In Kuwait on Sunday 24 sep 2006 this was the sequence of the events after reaching the site:
Sighting the crescent immeadiatly with binocular at 17:29
Sun disappeared from view at 17:40
Our local sunset time 17:43
First seen with naked eyes at 17:49
Last seen with naked eyes at 18:16
Last seen with binocular at 18:22
Moon setting time at 18:36
Saturday, September 23, 2006:
Sunday, September 24, 2006:
Monday, September 25, 2006:
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