KABEER YOUSUF -
Muscat, June 25 -
The Sultanate will celebrate Eid al Fitr today, the first day of Shawwal, after 30 days of fasting during the month of Ramadhan.
The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs earlier announced that the last day of Ramadhan would be on Sunday and that June 26 will be the first day of Eid al Fitr. This comes in the wake of the moon-sighting committee’s announcement that the moon had not been sighted on Saturday.
Special Eid prayers will be held across the country at various mosques as well as Eid Garhs (mass congregation at open grounds) led by scholars and other imams.
Citizens, along with their expatriate friends, stand in high spirits in front of the Almighty for special prayers in the morning followed by exchange of wishes, while the mosques
resonate with Thakbeer which proclaim ‘Allahu Akber’, meaning Allah is Great.
All mosques and Eid garhs will host special prayers starting 6.07 am, confirmed a senior official at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs.
“Nonetheless, each masjid may have its own prayer timings depending upon the convenience of the people expected and to adjust timings with the nearby masjids,” he said.
While citizens and expatriates take part in mass congregations and embrace each other as part of the rituals of the day, children, clad in their favourite clothes, will receive Eidiya from the elders.
“Eid sends out messages of unity of humanity and camaraderie and it is the message of obedience to Almighty Allah and of love and share and care between people of various
origins and colour and creed,” said Omar al Busaidi, an official at the ministry.
“On the occasion of Eid al Fitr, I extend to you the highest congratulations and, calling on the Almighty to accept our fasting and our resurrection and to forgive us the sins and mistakes,” a statement from the ministry wished the people of Oman.
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