Eid holiday announcement a step closer in Oman

Oman’s Moon Sighting Committee will meet today to discuss the start date of the next Islamic month, and in the process confirm the official day of Eid.

The Moon Sighting Committee will determine the start of Dhul Hijja, the next month, officials announced.

A representative from the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs has confirmed that the Committee will meet today to make announcements regarding the start of month of Dhul Hijja.

“The Committee will meet tomorrow. We will receive confirmation soon regarding the Hijri calendar dates,” a representative said.

When the new month starts that will determine which day the eagerly awaited Eid holiday falls.

According to the lunar calendar, Eid will fall on the 10th day of Dhul Hijja.

If the month of Dhul Hijja starts on Wednesday, August 23, then Eid will take place on Friday, September 1.

However, if the month of Dhul Hijja starts on Thursday, August 24, then Eid will occur on Saturday, September 2.

The Saudi Arabian lunar calendar currently does not match Oman’s, as Saudi Arabia is a day ahead in the lunar calendar.

According to the Saudi News Agency, Saudi’s Supreme Court has called on all Muslims throughout Saudi Arabia to sight the crescent of the Dhu Al-Hijjah month, 1438 AH, on Monday evening, August 29 of Dhu-AlQa’dah, in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Supreme Court said in its announcement that whoever sees the crescent of the month of Dhu Al-Hijjah with naked eyes or binoculars should report to the nearest court and register his testimony, or report to the nearest centre to facilitate his arrival at a court.

Meanwhile, according to the Qatar Calendar House (QCH), the new month of Dhul Hijja is expected to start on Wednesday, August 23 in Qatar.