Eid Al Adha 2019: Zul Hijjah moon highly likely to be seen in UAE today

The International Astronomical Center is gearing up to sight the new moon of the lunar month of Zul Hijjah atop Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain on Thursday evening. (Eid Al Adha 2019 holidays announced in UAE)

Eng Mohammed Shawkat, Director of the centre, told Khaleej Times that Friday, August 2, is expected to be the first day of the month of Zul Hijjah.

"As such, the Waqfat Araf - feast eve, is to be on Saturday, August 10, while the Eid Al Adha will be on Sunday, August 11."

Sighting the new moon is impossible from the eastern parts of the Islamic world, he disclosed.

"But, it can be sighted using telescopes across the Arab countries, most of Africa, and South Europe."

However, it will be difficult to sight the moon of Zul Hijjah with the naked eye across West Africa, the Atlantic Ocean, and most parts of the American continents, he pointed out.

"The new moon will be easier to sight at some of the western parts of the American continents, though."

Shawkat said there will be mostly no dispute over the sighting of the Helal of Zul Hijjah.

As is the case every year, Saudi Arabia will announce the sighting of the new moon of Zul Hijjah and "most countries will approve this sighting which is linked to the season of Haj."

"All Arab countries will be able to sight the new moon after the sunset using telescopes and even naked eyes at some regions."

It's worth mentioning that the new moon of Zul Hijjah last year was sighted on August 12, 2018, while the Eid Al Adha fell on August 21 last year.

Echoing the same, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, member of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy Sciences (Auas), said the new moon of the lunar month of Zul Hijjah, the season of Haj, is expected to be 'born' on Thursday, August 1, around 7.11am.

"It will disappear 28 minutes after the sunset."

"Therefore, the first day of the month of Zul Hijjah is predicted to fall on Friday, August 2, and Eid Al Adha will be on Sunday, August 11."

As per by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources list of holidays, Arafat (Haj) day, expected to fall on Saturday, August 10, will be a holiday.

The three days that follow, August 11 to 13, will be an official holiday for both private and public sector employees.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com