The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs' moonsighting committee has officially declared that the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1445 AH was not sighted on Thursday. As a result, Friday, June 7, will be considered as Dhul Qa’ada 30, and Monday, June 17, will mark the beginning of Eid al Adha.
In a statement released after their meeting, the committee extended their congratulations and greetings to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. They also offered prayers to the Almighty Allah, asking for His blessings of good health, happiness, and a long life for His Majesty, as well as progress and prosperity for the people of Oman and all Muslim nations.
The committee, led by Dr. Mohammed bin Said al Maamari, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, convened to discuss the sighting of the crescent moon and determine the start of the month of Dhul Hijjah for this year, 1445 AH. Other members of the committee included Dr. Kahlan bin Nabhan al Kharousi, Assistant Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman, Eng Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Ahmed bin Saleh al Rashdi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, Mohammed bin Salem al Akhzami, judge at the Supreme Court, Abdulrahman bin Abdulsattar al Kamali, judge at the Supreme Court, and Mohammed bin Salem al Nahdi, judge at the Supreme Court. Their reports on the moon sighting were crucial in determining the official start of Dhul Hijjah.
The committee did not receive any reports regarding the sighting of the crescent moon. Therefore, Friday, June 7, will be Dhul Qa’ada 30, and Monday, June 17, will mark the beginning of Eid al Adha.
Saudi Arabia, however, confirmed the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent, indicating the start of Dhul Hijjah. Consequently, Eid al Adha will be celebrated on June 16, with Arafat Day falling on June 15. Both Saudi and Omani astronomers had predicted that Arafat Day would be on Saturday (June 15), making June 16 the first day of Eid al Adha this year.
Dr. Khaled Zaaq, a Saudi researcher, stated that based on astronomical calculations, Friday (June 7) would be the first day of Dhul Hijjah, leading to Eid starting on Sunday (June 16). This prediction was supported by Abdulwahab al Busaidy, head of the observatory at the Oman Astronomical Society, whose forecasts have been accurate in Oman for the past three decades.
