Latest news with #MinistryofAwqafandReligiousAffairs
Observer
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Main moon sighting committee meets today
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. The meeting will be held under the auspices of Dr Mohammed bin Said al Maamari, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs. The ministry requested citizens and residents to look out for the crescent moon, report to field teams in their respective governorates or directly contact moon-sighting sub-committees operating in the offices of walis.
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
24-05-2025
- Science
- Observer
Moon sighting for Dhul Hijjah on Tuesday
Majid al Nadabi Muscat, May 24 The Sultanate of Oman will be sighting the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH on Tuesday. The main committee will hold a meeting to oversee the moon sighting at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs. Yousef bin Hamad al Rahbi, Director of the Astronomical Affairs Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, said that astronomical calculations rely on precise criteria and play a significant role in determining the possibility of sighting. One of the most prominent of these criteria is the time between sunset and moonset which should be 20 minutes at least when using binoculars and no less than 29 minutes for sighting with the naked eye. He emphasised that astronomical calculations are not definitive unless confirmed by eyewitness accounts of the moon sighting. However, if the calculations indicate the impossibility of sighting, the final decision is based on calculations without the need for observational testimony. Regarding the astronomical calculations for the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH, Al Rahbi explained that on Tuesday, Dhul Qa'ada 29, 1446 AH, corresponding to May 27, the moon will be in the central conjunction phase at 7:02 am Muscat time. Sunset will occur at 6:47 pm while the moon will set at 7:24 pm allowing a 36 minutes window for sighting which is a suitable duration for observation. Al Rahbi said that sighting the crescent moon using binoculars is possible while sighting with the naked eye is somewhat difficult, however not impossible, especially if the skies are clear. The crescent moon is expected to be visible all across the Sultanate of Oman provided that there are no clouds or dust covering the skies. Therefore, the beginning of Dhul Hijjah is expected on Wednesday in the Sultanate of Oman and most Arab countries.
Al Manar
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Hundreds of Zionist Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque
Hundreds of Zionist settlers forced their way into the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem today to perform provocatively Talmudic rituals on the Jewish Passover holiday. In a statement, the Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem said 765 Zionist settlers entered the flashpoint site in groups under the protection of Israeli police through the Al-Mughrabi Gate area, west of the holy mosque. The agency said that nearly 500 settlers stormed the mosque on the first day of Passover yesterday. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, illegal settlers raided the mosque 21 times last month, when Muslims celebrated the holy month of Ramadan. Figures released by the Jerusalem governor showed that 13,064 illegal settlers stormed the mosque in the first quarter of 2025. Israeli forces shoot and injure three youths near Ramallah Three young men were injured by Israeli occupation forces' gunfire on Monday in the Jalazone refugee camp, north of Ramallah. Local sources reported that occupation forces stormed the camp and shot a young man with live bullets in the abdomen, and others in the knee and hand.
Observer
13-04-2025
- Observer
First-ever Haj, Umrah exhibition held at OCEC
MUSCAT: Oman inaugurated its first-ever Haj and Umrah Exhibition on Sunday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), under the auspices of Shaikh Al Fadhl bin Mohammed al Harthy, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers. The event witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Dr Mohammed bin Said al Maamari, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs; Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information; and Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health. Organised by the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MoARA), the two-day event was opened by Ahmed bin Saleh al Rashdi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, along with several officials from various government departments. Marking a significant milestone, the exhibition brings together over 30 public and private entities from Oman and abroad, including Haj and Umrah service providers. It offers a unified platform to strengthen collaboration, encourage innovation and enhance service quality for pilgrims. The exhibition also features the 11th edition of the 'Nusuk' activities, which engage visitors through interactive displays using virtual reality, robotics, and other technologies to simulate pilgrimage rituals. Ali al Hattali from the Ministry's Haj and Umrah section shared insights with the Observer, noting that last year's virtual and physical engagements benefited over 11,000 people. 'At this exhibition, we not only offer services - we share a vision of responsibility. We walk with our pilgrims on a journey of reassurance and spiritual peace,' he said, expressing optimism for a higher turnout this year. The Ministry has been proactive in improving systems for the 1446 AH Haj season. A recent agreement between Oman and Saudi Arabia aims to streamline pilgrimage arrangements, focusing on logistics, service quality and mutual cooperation. Oman's electronic registration system, awarded the 'Laytim Excellence Award' by Saudi Arabia for being the best among 76 countries, received over 40,000 applications this season. Of these, 14,000 pilgrims were selected based on strict eligibility criteria. Air travel will be via Jeddah and Medina, while land pilgrims will pass through the Rub Al Khali border. Special initiatives at the exhibition include: Awqaf Bait al Rabat: Supporting over 150 low-income pilgrims with over RO 150,000. Mobile Vehicles for the Elderly: Assisting over 450 pilgrims in performing Tawaf and Sa'i. Electronic Tracking Bracelets: Enhancing safety for elderly and medically vulnerable pilgrims. Expanded Land Port Delegation Plan: Reducing bus waiting times from four hours to just 45 minutes. Visitors can explore these services at the booths of participating sponsors such as Sohar Islamic, Meethaq Islamic Banking, Ahli Islamic Bank, Omran Group, Badr Al Samaa Hospitals Group, Omantel, and the Ashraqat Foundation.
