Cairo: Saudi Arabia will sight the crescent of Dhu Al Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, next Monday, to determine the exact beginning of this year's Hajj rituals.
The Saudi Supreme Court has called on all Muslims in the kingdom to spot the new moon on the evening of Monday, the 29th day of the month of Dhu Al Qadah.
"The Supreme Court hopes anyone seeing the moon by the naked eye or the telescope to notify the nearest court and register a testimony or contact the nearest centre to help him reach the nearest court," it added.
"The court hopes that whoever has the sighting ability to take interest in the matter and join the committees formed for this purpose in the [Saudi] regions."
According to astronomical calculations, the month of Dhu Al Hijjah will begin this year on July 22 and the climax of Hajj at the Mount Arafat near Mecca will take place on July 30.
The Hajj is one of Islam's five pillars. Saudi Arabia is bracing for holding a limited pilgrimage this year due to fears of the new coronavirus.
The kingdom has announced that 70 per cent of this year’s pilgrims will be expatriate residents while the remaining 30 per cent will be Saudis. The maximum number of participating pilgrims has been set at 10,000 to ensure a safe Hajj for all.
