Astronomical calculations of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs indicate that the first day of Eid al Fitr (the first day of Shawwal) will be on Saturday (July 18) as the sighting of Shawwal moon will be impossible on Thursday (July 16), corresponding to Ramadhan 29.
At sunset on Thursday, the moon will be aged 13 hours and 32 minutes, one degree over the western horizon and therefore it cannot be sighted, but on Friday, the moon can be clearly seen across the Sultanate as it will descend 52 minutes after sunset and will be aged 37 hours and 32 minutes.
It is worth mentioning that the rituals of the holy month vary from one country to another, starting from moon sighting and fasting from the first day until the end of Ramadhan.
These rituals are reflected in the customs and traditions practiced by the community or individual families. In the Sultanate, there are certain rituals during the holy month, starting with moon sighting, where everyone awaits the announcement of the beginning of Ramadhan. The same applies for the end of the month as everyone waits for the announcement of the first day of Eid.
If the moon was seen, people gather in mosques for evening and Taraweeh prayers. After finishing the prayers, they greet and congratulate each other on the occasion of the advent of the holy month. They also visit relatives.
At the end of the holy month, committees prepare for moon-sighting of Shawwal. When the moon is seen, people exchange greetings and congratulations. Some do that three days before the advent of Eid.
http://omanobserver.om/first-day-of-eid-falls-on-july-18/
No comments :
Post a Comment