26-05-2025
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.
