Latest news with #ProphetMohammed
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Eid Al Adha 2025: How UAE moon sighting works, what it means
Millions of Muslims across the world will scan the sky on Tuesday evening to look for the crescent moon, which would mark the beginning of the new month of Dhul Hijjah. Islam follows a lunar calendar composed of 12 months based on the moon's cycle where each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. The UAE's moon sighting committee will meet on Tuesday after sunset to look for the moon. UAE residents have been encouraged by the Fatwa Council to look for the moon and report it to the Crescent Sighting Committee by calling 027774647 or submitting an online form. Dhul Hijjah is when Muslims around the world perform the Islamic pilgrimage Hajj in the Saudi Arabian city of Makkah. All believers are required to perform it once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage begins on the eighth day of Dhul Hijjah and lasts until the 13th of the month. Day 10, which is called the Day of Arafah, is the holiest day for Muslims. While pilgrims stand on Mount Arafah for long periods praying, others around the world fast from dawn to dusk and do acts of charity. Here is everything you need to know about moonsighting and its history: History The practice of trying to sight the moon is rooted in the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). In a Hadith, he is reported to have said 'Do not fast unless you see the (crescent) moon, do not break your fast until you see the (crescent) moon.' Many scholars are of the opinion that looking for the crescent moon is a communal obligation. Today, many experts are able to predict the possible sighting of the moon based on astronomic calculations. However, most scholars agree that the start of the new month cannot be based on these calculations alone and that the moon must be sighted. How it works Here in the UAE, the moonsighting committee meets just after Maghrib prayers at sunset to look for the crescent moon. They will use advanced technology, including high-power telescopes, to scan the sky. Earlier this year, the country used more than 100 drones for the first time to observe the crescent Moon that signalled the beginning of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr. The drones were flown over Al Khatim area to locate the moon by drawing a square perimeter around it for the observers to focus on, while an additional specifically equipped drone was used to capture a direct image of the crescent. Typically the process of looking for the moon combines several elements, including Shariah and scientific committees, astronomical computerised resources, observation decks, individual testimonies, as well as the newly introduced drones by the International Astronomical Center, sponsored by the UAE Fatwa Council. Observations occur from various locations across the country. What happens If the moon is spotted on Tuesday, the month of Dhul Hijjah will begin on Wednesday, May 28, with Eid Al Adha scheduled to fall on Friday, June 6. Otherwise the month will begin on Thursday, and Eid will be on Saturday, June 7.
The National
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Syrian government's failure to protect minorities leaves door open for Israeli destabilisation
Israel is exploiting the Syrian government's failure to secure minority rights in Syria by presenting itself as a protector of the Druze community, analysts and regional military experts told The National, after a wave of brutal sectarian violence by troops loyal to the new authorities left more than 100 people dead in Druze-majority areas. 'We saw clear sectarian chants like 'We're going to genocide the Druze' in Hama and Homs for example. The government has not through statement or practice been trying to stop this kind of harassment or incitement or attacks,' Joseph Daher, a Syrian academic and analyst told The National. The violence was caused by a voice recording which circulated on social media purportedly showing a Druze cleric insulting the Prophet Mohammed. It was debunked by both Syrian authorities and Druze religious leaders. Leaders of the minority sect, an offshoot of Islam, said the recording was fabricated: blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed is antithetical to the Druze faith, they said. However, that did very little to calm the situation. Islamist militants, some of whom are affiliated with the current Syrian government, converged on Druze-majority towns of Jaramana and Sahnaya, as well as Suweida province, while Druze gunmen rallied to deter attacks on their towns. Israel's rapid entry into the conflict, through a series of air strikes- including near the Presidential Palace – marked its most significant escalation on Syria since December. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the attacks were aimed at 'protecting the Druze community' and preventing Syrian troop posting south of Damascus. Israel's timing is no accident, analysts say. With Syria's central authority weakened by infighting and sectarian violence, Israel sees a rare chance to reshape post-Assad Syria's borders and political order in its favour. 'Israel wants to see a weak central government or a Syria fragmented along sectarian lines,' according to Riad Kahwaji, head of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis. 'A Druze state, a Kurdish state, and an Alawite state reinforce the legitimacy of a Jewish state.' According to Mr Kahwaji, Israel's primary objective is to carve out a Druze-controlled buffer zone between itself and Damascus. This strategy, he said, is rooted in a broader geopolitical calculation: Israel wants to pre-empt the rise of a strong, Turkish-backed Syrian government that could eventually support hostile armed groups. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's support for the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups has deepened Israeli anxieties, particularly over the possibility that post-conflict Syria could become a base for anti-Israel operations under Turkish patronage. Israel is also eyeing full annexation of the Golan Heights, a region of strategic and symbolic significance. It already controls two-thirds of the territory – unilaterally annexed in 1981 in a move rejected by the international community – and occupied the remaining third following the collapse of Bashar Al Assad's regime in December 2024. 'Israel will try to keep as much of the land it has grabbed and will try to get concessions from the Syrians to accept Israeli sovereignty over the whole of Golan-heights,' Mr Kahwaji said. Syrian authorities have condemned Israel's attacks as a 'flagrant violation of international law' and a 'direct threat to regional stability,' while clarifying that they do not seek conflict with Israel. They also accused 'outlaw groups' of instigating the sectarian attacks and posting troops in Druze-majority towns. But the Syrian government – led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, a group once affiliated with Al Qaeda – has failed to prevent sectarian attacks since its inception, following the ouster of Bashar Al Assad in December of last year. Many activists and residents accused the government of standing by while radical groups, using the fabricated voice recording as a pretext, assaulted Druze towns last week. Mr Daher described the government's behaviour as part of a broader power-recentralisation strategy. 'It's a strategy to retake or consolidate areas that are not in control of the government. The government blames extremists for the violence, and then it says we'll take control to pacify things.' 'The vast majority of Syrian Druze refuse Israeli instrumentalisation of sectarian issues,' he added. 'The problem is that the government's behaviour will be fuel to people who say we need this kind of coalition [with Israel].' Syrian authorities employed a similar tactic in March, when pro-government forces and allies killed hundreds of civilians from the Alawite minority under the pretext of quelling an insurgency led by militants loyal to deposed president Bashar Al Assad, who is of the same sect. To date, despite government overtures to investigate violations, there has seen no accountability. 'The government cannot say it's trying to bring security when there has been no accountability from previous massacres,' Mr Daher told The National. 'Israel has been able to exploit the situation exactly because the government has been pursuing – directly and indirectly – sectarian policies.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Grand Mufti: Saudi Vision 2030 Drives Ongoing Successes, Achievements for All
The Saudi Senior Scholars Council, chaired by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, held its 96th session at the General Presidency of Islamic Research and Ifta headquarters in Riyadh on Sunday, with the attendance of council members and its secretary general. In his opening speech, Al Al-Sheikh highlighted the support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the Senior Scholars Council. The support has enabled the council to study all matters referred to it and issue appropriate Sharia rulings. Al Al-Sheikh stated: 'We praise Allah Almighty for the numerous blessings He has bestowed upon this blessed country. This nation was established based on the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed. Unity was achieved and all regions of the Kingdom have enjoyed security, stability, and prosperity since the era of the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud.' 'This has been further solidified under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince,' he added. 'In this regard, we recognize and commend the many blessings enjoyed by Saudi citizens and residents, including security, stability, progress, and development. These are—after the grace of Allah—a blessed result of the wise leadership based on the Kingdom's firm and enduring constitution, which is the source of its pride, strength, and leadership: the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed,' he went on to say. 'This foundation ensures justice under Sharia for all, upholds the service of Islam and Muslims, and grants the honor of serving the Two Holy Mosques and caring for their visitors. This noble path has also established the Kingdom's firm and just positions, particularly its unwavering and honorable stance—of which we are all proud—on the Palestinian cause, reaffirming the Palestinian people's right to live in their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital,' he continued. The Grand Mufti stated: 'We also praise the continued successes and achievements of the Saudi Vision 2030, which bring prosperity and benefit to all, as well as the Kingdom's generous humanitarian contributions to those in need around the world.' He highlighted the significant efforts of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, whose international initiatives are widely recognized. 'We also praise the high standard that the Kingdom has achieved in transparency, integrity, and anti-corruption— issues that Islamic teachings have strongly warned against due to their harmful consequences,' Al Al-Sheikh said.
