The Hilal Council of Canada has just announced that it has received confirmed reports of sightings of the new crescent for Dhul Hijjah from various locations.
In a statement posted on its website and social media, The Hilal Council of Canada states, “The Hilal Council of Canada received confirmed reports of sightings of the new crescent for the month of Dhul Hijjah from various locations. Therefore the 1st of Dhul Hijjah, 1441 will be on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 insha’Allah. Based on this, Eid Al-Adhaa will be on Friday, July 31, 2020, and the day of Arafah will be on Thursday, July 30, 2020.“
The Crescent Committee of Canada was officially merged with the Hilal Council of Canada, and many more Masajid (mosques) and scholars have joined the Hilal Council of Canada according to its website.
The Islamic Foundation of Toronto also announced that they will be celebrating ‘Eid Al-Adha on 31st July, 2020, and will be posting prayers timings.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court had announced that Friday, July 31, will be the first day of Eid Al Adha. The court said that July 22 will mark the first of ZulHijja, and it was decided that Tuesday, is the last day of the month of Zulquae’da corresponding to July 21, 2020. Since the first day of Eid Al Adha always falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah and one day after Arafat Day, Friday, July 31, will mark the first day of Eid Al Adha.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) statement said that Wednesday, July 22, 2020, is the first day of the month of Dhul Hijjah according to Umm al Qura calendar, the Supreme court said, adding that the stand of pilgrims on the mount of Arafat, the peak of Hajj ritual, falls on Thursday, the ninth of the month of Dhul Hijjah corresponding to the 30th of July 2020. This will be followed on the next day, Friday, the 10th of Dhul Hijjah by Eid Al-Adha.
This year, Saudi Arabia has restricted access to the Holy Sites in Makkah and Madinah due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only a limited number of approximately 1,000 Saudis and expatriates living in Saudi Arabia are being permitted to perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year.
Here in Canada, ss some parts of Ontario have entered stage 3, and others like Toronto, Peel and Windsor remain in Stage 2, it is important we keep in mind the social distancing measures in place, and stay safe. For more information and special arrangements, it is advised to follow check with your local mosque. For more guidance from the Province of Ontario, visit the website.
