Ramadan moon sighting committees to meet in UAE, Saudi today
The committees will meet around sunset time at 7pm and the
announcement is expected around 9pm (File)
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called on all Muslims
across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to sight the Crescent of the blessed month
of Ramadan today, Sunday evening, Shaaban 29, 1437 AH, corresponding to June
05, 2016.
Saudi Press Agency, SPA, reported that in an announcement,
the Supreme Court also called on whoever sees the Crescent of the blessed month
of Ramadan by naked eyes or through binoculars to report to the nearest court
and register his testimony, or report to the authority of the region's centre
in his area where he sighted the Crescent in order to facilitate his reaching
to the nearest court.
Meanwhile, Sultan Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice, in a
resolution, said the committee to sight the Crescent will meet after Maghreb
prayers today at the judicial Department in Abu Dhabi.
The resolution stipulates that all courts in the UAE have to
mark the new moon of Ramadan and provide proof.
Mohammad Shawkat Odeh, Director, International Astronomical
Center, said Islamic countries would observe the Crescent on Sunday evening.
He said the moon would be out after sunset and it would be
possible to sight the Crescent using a telescope. However, it would be possible
to see the Crescent with naked eye only in parts of America, and parts of the
Atlantic and Indian Oceans, he added.
Odeh expected most Islamic countries to begin Ramadan on
Monday. He added that in the Islamic countries that rely on sighting the moon
with the naked eye, will begin fasting on Tuesday.
According to astronomical calculations, Monday is the first
of Ramadan 1437 Hijri, and fasting will complete 30 days later on 1 Shawwal
(Eid), Wednesday, July 6.
EARLIER REPORTS: Moon-sighting committees to meet
The moon sighting committees of the UAE and Saudi Arabia
will meet on Sunday, June 5 (Shaban 29, Hijri calendar), to witness the
Crescent for the month of Ramadan.
The committees will meet around sunset time at 7pm and the
announcement is expected around 9pm after collecting all the evidences from
different corners of the country.
The UAE on Wednesday formed a moon-sighting committee to
determine the beginning of Ramadan. To be chaired by Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi,
Minister of Justice, the committee will convene on June 5 (Shaban 29, Hijri
calendar) after Maghrib prayer to witness the first sighting of the crescent
moon.
Also Read: Eating right during Ramadan: 10 useful tips to being healthy
The authorities urge residents to inform the moon-sighting
committee officials about any evidence they have with regarding to witnessing
Crescent on Sunday.
As reported by Emirates
Advertising Bay last month, normal working hours for the public and private
sectors during Ramadan this year in the UAE will be reduced by two hours.
This will cover all private sector institutions in the state
during the month of Ramadan for the year 1437 Hijri, (2016), without the
remuneration of workers being affected.
While temperatures during the fasting month of Ramadan will
average as high as 45-50 Celsius in the Gulf, one of the highest temperate
levels through the year.
“Maximum temperatures in Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf
countries will average 45-50 degrees during Ramadan,” Khalid Al Zuak, an AUASS
member said, quoted by the Saudi Arabic language daily ‘Ajel’.
