Latest news with #moonsighting
Times of Oman
27-05-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
First day of Eid Al Adha announced in Oman
Muscat: The Main Committee on sighting the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah for this year, 1446 AH has announced that the moonsighting was confirmed this evening, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported. "The crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH has been sighted. Accordingly, tomorrow, Wednesday, will be the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah, and Friday, June 6, will be the first day of Eid al-Adha," the ONA said on X (formerly Twitter).
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Why Oman may get an extra day off for Eid Al Adha this year?
Muslims worldwide are gearing up for the crescent Moon sighting after sunset on Tuesday, with all eyes on celebrating Eid Al Adha and the upcoming holiday. In Oman, residents were urged by authorities to look out for the crescent and report to field teams in their respective governorates if they spotted it or directly contact moonsighting sub-committees. Like official sighting committees in other Muslim countries, the Omani committee is set to meet today for the event. While many Muslims will mostly get a four-day-holiday for Eid, as a result of combining Day of Arafat and the feast's three days, Oman's residents have a chance of getting a longer break. Why an extra day off? An Omani royal decree was issued by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in 2022 to amend public holidays in the Sultanate. The amendment states that Eid Al Adha holiday in the country will be from Dhul Hijjah 9 to Dul Hijjah 12, resulting in a 4-day-long break in the Sultanate. However, if the first day of Eid falls on a Friday, it will be compensated. This means that if the upcoming Eid starts on Friday, June 6, residents are entitled to a five-day break. Although this will never be known for sure until the sighting committee announces the result after sunset, some astronomers predicted that Wednesday, May 28 will mark the beginning of Dhul Hijjah hence Eid will start on Friday, June 6. The UAE's International Astronomical Centre (IAC) issued a similar prediction on Sunday.
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.
Times of Oman
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Main committee for sighting crescent moon of Dhul-Hijjah' to meet on Tuesday
Muscat: The main committee for sighting the crescent moon of the month of Dhul-Hijjah 1446 AH will meet at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs on Tuesday (27 May, 2025). The meeting will be held under the auspices of Dr. Mohammed Said Al Maamari, Minister of Endowments 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 moonsighting sub-committees operating in the offices of walis.
