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The National
3 days ago
- General
- The National
What is the difference between Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha?
Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are the two principal festivals in Islam, each with distinct religious significance, customs and places on the calendar. While both are occasions for prayer, charity and celebration with family and friends, they commemorate different events and are observed at separate times in the Islamic lunar calendar. Here we look at the difference between the two and special preparations for each. Eid Al Fitr The first of the two eids on the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Fitr occurs on the first day of Shawwal and is to celebrate the conclusion of Ramadan. The name translates to "festival of breaking fast", and it is a chance for those who observed the holy month to celebrate their devotion and discipline with fasting and praying. The key aspects of Eid Al Fitr are Eid prayers, zakat al fitr, festive meals, gatherings and new clothes. Eid Al Fitr begins with Eid prayers, which begin shortly after sunrise. These prayers are held in a large open space, begin with a sermon and are often attended by the rulers and leaders of each country. Leading up to the prayer, Muslims are required to a charitable offering called zakat al fitr. It's a uniform amount, typically measured in food or its equivalent, given to the poor to enable them to celebrate Eid Al Fitr. After prayers are concluded, worshippers put on new clothes to signify a new beginning in purity and gratitude. They then gather in majlises and visit each other for Eid greetings. Children are given amounts of cash called eidiyah to spread joy among the young. While the feasts done in Eid Al Adha are bigger and more symbolic, Muslims still celebrate Eid Al Fitr with food, especially for the first breakfast after a month of fasting all day. There are three days of Eid observed, with most of the celebrations taking part on the first day. Eid Al Adha The second Eid on the Islamic calendar is Eid Al Adha and it takes place on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah. The name translates to the Festival of the Sacrifice as it commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command. Eid Al Adha coincides with the end of the Hajj season, when worshippers travel to Mecca to observe the Islamic pilgrimage. Hajj is one of the greatest deeds in Islam, as it teaches patience, good ethics and its rituals bring a person closer to his/her creator. The Hajj starts on the 8th day of Dhu Al Hijjah. The 9th day is called Arafah day during which pilgrims spend the day at Mount Arafah in Mecca. Muslims around the world fast during Arafah day. For pilgrims, there are still steps to completing their Hajj, but for Muslims not on their pilgrimage, the rituals of Eid can begin. Much like Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha also begins with Eid prayers at sunrise. There is no zakat al fitr for Eid Al Adha, but worshippers are still encouraged to donate. This is done with the distribution of meat from the slaughtering of sheep. As the name indicates, families slaughter the symbolic sacrifical sheep, which is then used to cook the feast of Eid, and also distributed to the needy. Each country in the Muslim world has its special steps when it comes to Eid Al Adha sacrifices, with some streamlining the process with the use of technology. Family gatherings are also a big part of Eid Al Adha, as relatives from far and wide visit one another to greet each other on the occasion. Together with Arafah day, Eid Al Adha last for three days with most of the festivities taking place on the first day.
Qatar Living
10-05-2025
- Qatar Living
Saudi Arabia announces Umrah season calendar
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in an effort to serve international pilgrims and visitors arriving in the country with Umrah visas, has announced the Umrah season calendar for the year 1447 AH (2025-26). The calendar lists out key dates, including visa issuance, service agreement deadlines, and the final entry and exit dates for pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announces the Umrah season calendar for the year 1447 AH, as part of preparations to serve pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque arriving from outside Saudi Arabia with Umrah visas.#Ease_and_Tranquility#No_Hajj_Without_Permit — Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) May 9, 2025 International visitors holding an Umrah visa will be permitted to begin performing the rites beginning June 11 (15 Dhul-Hijjah), with visa issuance starting a day earlier, on June 10. The announcement added that all service agreements between Umrah companies and foreign agencies had to be finalised by May 27. Deadlines have been set for various milestones. The final date for issuing Umrah visas will be March 20, 2026 (1 Shawwal 1447). The final date for pilgrims to enter the Kingdom will be April 3, 2026 (15 Shawwal 1447). All pilgrims must depart the country by April 18, 2026 (1 Dhul-Qi'dah 1447). The timeline is part of the ministry's broader effort to ensure smooth and well-organised Umrah season. --- Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content. Instagram - @qatarliving X - @qatarliving Facebook - Qatar Living YouTube - qatarlivingofficial
Time Out Dubai
25-04-2025
- Time Out Dubai
Astronomers share Shawwal end date prediction: What it means for Eid Al Adha
If you're anything like us, then you're already thinking about when the next public holiday in Dubai is. And astronomers have shared the latest hint indicating how long we could get off for Eid Al Adha. Eid Al Adha is one of the UAE public holidays that relies on the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is determined by cycles of the moon, unlike the more widely used Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun. Months in the Hijri calendar are all either 29 days long or 30 days long. The exact duration of each month isn't known until the 29th day and depends on whether or not the crescent moon can be seen. As a result of the Hijri calendar, months and occasions shift by around 10 to 12 days every year when compared to the corresponding Gregorian dates. And that means when any Hijri month draws to a close, we get a clearer indication of when the next public holiday begins. Astronomers have shared their latest prediction for the final day of Shawwal. Ibrahim Al-Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, says that Tuesday April 29 will mark the beginning of the month of Dhu Al-Qi'dah. According to the UAE BARQ, the moon will have already set below the horizon in the UAE and the wider Arabian Peninsula on Sunday April 27. This will then mean that at sunset on Monday April 28, the moon will be 18 hours and 48 minutes old and will set 54 minutes after sunset. This then would mean that Tuesday April 29 is the start of Dhu Al-Qi'dah and Monday April 28 will be the final day of Shawwal. As a result, Shawwal will be a 30-day month in the UAE. This would then mean that, according to current astronomical predictions, the Eid Al Adha holiday would begin on Thursday June 5. In this instance, it would mean that we would get a four-day long weekend, inclusive of weekend dates. Days off in Dubai UAE public holidays 2025: When are all the public holidays this year? The dates to know UAE public holidays law explained: What happens if a day off is on a weekend The law has changed in 2025 Everything you need to know about annual leave in Dubai Know your rights
Leaders
12-04-2025
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry Announces Procedures for Hajj 2025
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior has unveiled a series of measures for the 2025 Hajj season aimed at ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims while facilitating the performance of the sacred rites with ease and tranquility. The procedures include the following key points: Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry Announces Procedures for Hajj 2025 Umrah Entry and Exit Dates: The last day for Umrah pilgrims to enter the Kingdom is Sunday, April 13, 2025 (15 Shawwal 1446 AH), while the final date for their departure is Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (1 Dhul-Qi'dah 1446 AH). Entry Permits for Makkah: Starting Wednesday, April 23, 2025 (25 Shawwal 1446 AH), residents wishing to enter Makkah must obtain entry permits from the relevant authorities. Those without valid permits will be denied entry and sent back to their points of origin. Eligibility for Makkah Entry: Permits will be granted to residents holding an official entry permit for work in the holy sites, residents with a Makkah-issued ID, or individuals with valid Hajj permits. Entry permits for workers during the Hajj season will be processed electronically through the 'Absher Individuals' platform and the 'Muqeem Portal.' Suspension of Umrah Permits: The issuance of Umrah permits will be suspended for Saudi citizens, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals, residents, and holders of other visas from Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (1 Dhul-Qi'dah 1446 AH), until Monday, June 10, 2025 (14 Dhul-Hijjah 1446 AH). Hajj Visa Requirement for Makkah Access: As of Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (1 Dhul-Qi'dah 1446 AH), only individuals holding a Hajj visa will be allowed to enter or stay in Makkah. The Ministry has emphasized the importance of adhering to these regulations and collaborating with authorities to ensure the smooth and secure facilitation of the Hajj pilgrimage. Violations of these guidelines will result in legal penalties. Short link : Post Views: 144
Egypt Today
08-04-2025
- Science
- Egypt Today
What you need know about sighting crescent in Islam
Crescent Moon- CC via Steffen und Christina CAIRO – 3 April 2025: The moonsighting for Eid Al-Fitr (the Feast of Breaking the Fast) this year sparked controversy among Arab nations, especially on social media, after disagreements regarding the visibility of the crescent of Shawwal—the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. Egypt, along with countries like Jordan and Syria, declared that the crescent of Shawwal was not sighted on March 29, meaning the first day of Shawwal would fall on March 30. This moonsighting marks the beginning of the four-day Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states, and Palestine announced that the crescent was sighted on March 29, declaring March 30 as the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Saudi Arabia relied on naked-eye observations at ten different sites, as reported by Al-Arabiya Net on March 29. The disagreement among Arab countries sparked controversy over which side was more accurate. This raised questions about how moonsighting should be accurately calculated, and why different countries have their own systems for observing the crescent. This confusion stands in contrast to the widespread practice of other nations following Saudi Arabia's moonsighting for Eid al-Adha (the Sacrifice Feast). In Islam, the start of a new Islamic (Hijri) month is determined by the sighting of the crescent at the sunset of the twenty-ninth day of the preceding Hijri month. To mark the beginning of the new month, two conditions must be met: First, the crescent moon must have been born at least four hours before sunset on that day. Second, the new crescent must remain visible above the horizon for no less than five minutes. This practice is followed by the Egyptian Survey Authority (ESA), the official body responsible for calculating the start of the Hijri months, according to Amir Hussein Hassan, professor in the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, in comments to Egypt Today. He further explained that in Islam, a day begins at sunset and lasts until sunset of the following day, encompassing a full night and a full day. Visually or scientifically? Some countries, like Saudi Arabia, rely mainly on naked-eye sightings of the crescent, adhering to the approach practiced during the era of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him), while other countries depend on scientific astronomical calculations. This difference in approach has given rise to questions regarding methods of sighting the new crescent. Prominent scientists from the past century argue that when visual sighting conflicts with scientific calculations, the latter should be prioritized. This is because eye-naked sighting can be speculative, influenced by various obstacles such as natural and industrial pollutants, whereas scientific calculation is definitive, Hassan clarified. "As for the so-called 'eye-witnessing' method, it should only be applied when there is no reliable scientific method available to calculate the start of the months," he continued. Hassan said the basis for the moonsighting is to rely on astronomical calculations in accordance with evidence from Quran and Sunnah (Prophet Muhammad's sayings, and deeds [PBUH]). He elaborated that Islam does not restrict moonsighting to visual observations, but encourages the use of science and calculations. He explained that the practice of visual sighting was used at the beginning of Islam because the Arabs at that time did not have the advanced astronomical knowledge they possess today. As Muslims became more aware of scientific advancements, he said, it became essential to prioritize the use of such advancements, as supported by a hadith in Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: 'Do not fast until you see the crescent, and do not break your fast until you see it. If it is obscured from you, then calculate for it.' Hassan also referenced a Quranic verse from Surah Ar-Rahman, where Allah says: 'The sun and the moon follow courses that are exactly computed.' He continued that the Noble Quran has several verses about astronomically-based calculation and how it works precisely. Allah says in Surah Younus (Jonah) 'He is the One who rendered the sun radiant, and the moon a light, and He designed its phases that you may learn to count the years and to calculate. GOD did not create all this, except for a specific purpose. He explains the revelations for people who know,' -Khalifa's translation of the meaning of Noble Quran. Furthermore, Hassan cited a report by former Egyptian Judge Mohamed Ahmed Shaker on the Islamic months, which emphasized that scientific calculations are definitive and reliable, unlike the naked-eye observations. He stressed that scientific calculations should be applied in the moonsighting process, noting that this method helps avoid errors caused by factors like air pollution. Unified Islamic Calendar The recent disagreement among Arab countries has reignited discussions about the possibility of a unified Islamic calendar among Muslim nations. Hassan stated that while the idea of a unified Islamic calendar for moon sighting is a positive initiative, it is quite difficult to implement. He explained that Islamic countries are located on opposite sides of the Earth, with each country lying at different latitudes and longitudes. "A unified Islamic calendar is challenging and may even be impossible," he said. Additionally, some countries may observe the moon below the horizon at sunset on the 29th day of the lunar month, while others may see it above the horizon. In the Hijri year 1446, the moon was sighted above the horizon in some countries, such as those in the Middle East, while it was below the horizon in other countries, such as Indonesia and Malaysia. "The difference in these sightings is acceptable," Hassan explained. However, he pointed out that the real issue lies in the disagreement that may occur among countries that have observed the moon above the horizon, so this disagreement is unacceptable. "Calculations remain the foundation of the process, and it will continue to be applied," Dr. Hassan concluded.
