Latest news with #AbdulwahabalBusaidy
Observer
26-05-2025
- General
- Observer
Eid Al Adha likely on June 6
The main committee for sighting the crescent moon of the month of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH will meet at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs on Tuesday. Lunar experts and religious scholars will gather to observe the crescent moon, which will be visible for at least 20 to 29 minutes with the naked eye. Yousef bin Hamad al Rahbi, Director of the Astronomical Affairs Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, emphasised that astronomical calculations are crucial but must be confirmed by actual crescent moon sighting. The department highlighted the importance of crescent moon sighting in Islam, as it determines significant religious days such as the start and end of Ramadhan, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, sacred months like Muharram and Dhul Hijjah. Eid Al Adha will begin on the tenth day of the month, following the day of Arafah on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. Abdulwahab al Busaidy, an astronomer and member of Oman Astronomical Society, explained that the crescent moon will be visible at 07:02 in the morning, with the sun setting at 06:37 in Muscat. The crescent moon will set at 07:24, giving a 36-minute window for moon observation. "Accordingly, the crescent moon will be above the horizon by 8 degrees. In light of all this, we presume that the first day of the Dhul Hijjah will be Wednesday and the first day of Eid Al Adha will be on Friday June 6 for Oman and neighbouring countries as well," Al Busaidy said.
Observer
15-03-2025
- Observer
Eid Al Fitr most likely on March 31; one-week holiday anticipated
Astronomers in Oman have predicted that the first day of Eid Al Fitr is likely to fall on Monday, March 31. This means that holidays in Oman are anticipated to begin on Sunday, March 30 and run till Thursday, April 3, giving citizens and residents a five-day break. While a five-day break sounds good, there is hope for an even longer holiday as Friday (April 4) and Saturday (April 5) will be weekend making it a nine-day break running from pre-Eid weekly off days. Abdulwahab al Busaidy, head of the observatory at Oman Astronomical Society, said that the first day of Eid Al Fitr, in all likelihood, would fall on Monday (March 31), because the 29th of Ramadhan, which is equivalent to March 29, the sun will set at 6:21 pm and the moon will set at 6:26 pm and that it will be nearly impossible to see the moon on that day. "The moon will be on the horizon for only five minutes, depending on your location. It will be above the horizon only two degrees, with an illumination of 0.04 per cent. So, in countries like Oman, where we rely on moon sighting, it will be nearly impossible to see the moon on March 29," Al Busaidy said. "Therefore, we will complete 30 days of Ramadhan and the first day of Eid Al Fitr will be on Monday, March 31," he added. For countries that rely solely on the birth of a new moon, Al Busaidy said they may fast only 29 days and their first day of Eid Al Fitr will be on March 30. With the long holiday expected, excitement has begun. 'I have finished all my Eid shopping and I am now considering ways of enjoying the anticipated long break. I wish the authorities announce the holidays early so that we can plan ahead. I am planning to use the holiday to visit all parts of Oman as the weather is still cool,' said Salaah Abdullah, an accounts auditor based in Muscat. Suhar resident Mohammed al Balushi said he is currently considering flight options to Kenya for safari for a 5-day break. "And if we get a 9-day break, I will use it to explore the whole of East Africa because I have always wanted to go to Africa to enjoy greenery," he said. According to Observer online poll, nearly 57 per cent of readers said that they would decide on travel plans only after official holidays are announced. It may be noted that foreign travel needs months of advanced planning, which includes the process of visa application, getting affordable flight and hotel rates and of course leave approvals.
Observer
22-02-2025
- General
- Observer
Ramadhan likely to begin on March 1 in Oman
While the first day of Ramadhan is most likely to fall on Saturday (March 1), in the Sultanate of Oman, Eid al Fitr is expected to fall on March 31, according to astronomical data. Abdulwahab al Busaidy, head of the observatory at Oman Astronomical Society, told the Observer that the first day of Ramadhan, in all likelihood, would fall on Saturday (March 1), because the moon will be on the horizon for around half an hour on the evening of Friday (February 28). "On Friday evening, the 29th of Shaaban, 1446 or February 28, 2025, the sun will set at 6:09 pm and the moon will set at 6:40 pm. The moon will be on the horizon for around half an hour, give or take, depending on your location. The moon will be above the horizon around seven degrees, with an illumination of 0.5 per cent. Therefore, regardless of your location, we will be able to see the moon on Friday, February 28," Al Busaidy said. He said that almost all countries around the world will begin fasting for Ramadhan on March 1, 2025. "The first day of Ramadhan is expected to start on Saturday, March 1 for almost all countries," he said. Regarding Eid al Fitr, on Sunday, Al Busaidy said the 29th of Ramadhan, which is equivalent to March 29, the sun will set at 6:21 pm and the moon will set at 6:26 pm. "The moon will be on the horizon for only five minutes, depending on your location. It will be above the horizon only two degrees, with an illumination of 0.04 per cent," he said. "So, in countries like Oman, where we rely on moon sighting, it will be nearly impossible to see the moon on March 29. Therefore, we will complete 30 days of Ramadhan and the first day of Eid will be on Monday, March 31," he added. For countries that rely solely on the birth of a new moon, Al Busaidy said they will fast only 29 days and their first day of Eid al Fitr will be on March 30.
