President Duterte of the Philippines hopes for a peaceful, prosperous future that includes all Filipinos

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's message to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) on the occasion of Eid al Fitr notes that Ramadhan instils in the heart understanding, peace, sympathy, and love for fellow human beings, and ends with the hope that all members of the Muslim Filipino communities "to unite with other Filipinos to achieve lasting peace, political stability, economic growth and development".

President Duterte proclaimed July 6 a public holiday nationwide so that the religious and cultural significance of Eid al Fitr is emphasised and to give entire Filipino nation the opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance of and celebration of the occasion.

Eid will fall on 6 July in most of GCC

The Crescent Sighting Committee of the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs in Qatar has announced that July 5 will be the 30th day of Ramadhan, as the new moon for the following month of Shawwal had not been sighted.

The next day, July 6, will therefore be the first day of Eid al Fitr, the Qatar News Agency has reported.

WAM, the news agency for the UAE, has also stated that due to no moon sightings reported to the moon-sighting committee in UAE, leading to Wednesday being the first day of the month of Shawwal and the first day of Eid al Fitr.

Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice and chair of the committee, was cited in a statement following at meeting at Abu Dhabi Judicial Department that the committee has not sighted the Shawwal crescent moon for the Islamic year 1437 and ruled that 5 July 2016, will be the last day of Ramadhan and Wednesday 6 July, will be the first day of Shawwal 1437.

The Bahrain News Agency has likewise reported that Eid will begin on Wednesday. The Supreme Islamic Affairs Council (SIAC) moon-sighting committee met on Monday and received no testimonies confirming the birth of Shawwal crescent, the agency reported. The Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) has also said that the Shawwal moon was not sighted on Monday evening, making Wednesday the first day of Eid. KUNA also noted in a separate report that it will be a Wednesday Eid for Iraq and Lebanon.

Ramadhan will end on 5 July, the KSA Royal Court has announced. In a statement reported by the Saudi Press Agency, the Royal Court said that it has been notified by the Supreme Court that, following reports received from courts based on monitors who are devoted to verify personally whether the lunar month of Ramadhan is over or to go on for another day, as per the instructions of the Prophet Mohammed (ﷺ), the moon heralding the month of Shawwal was not seen with the naked eye. Tuesday 5 July is thus the 30th day of Ramadhan 1437 and the next day is the first day of Shawwal 1437, and the first day of Eid al Fitr, a three-day celebration following Ramadhan.

Today is 29 Ramadhan in Oman, and the moon-sighting committee will be in session in the evening to determine if Eid falls on Wednesday or Thursday.

Dubai Roads and Transport Authority commits extra hours for services over Eid al Fitr

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the timings of its services during the Eid al-Fitr holidays, covering customer service centres, car parks, public buses, Dubai Metro & Tram services, marine transit, driving institutes, as well as vehicles testing & registration centres.
 

Source: RTA. Al Marri.

Moaza Al Marri, Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication, RTA Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector, said: “Customer Service Centers will be off-duty the during Eid al-Fitr holiday from Sunday 3rd July 2016 and will resume duty on Sunday 10 July 2016. All paid parking zones in Dubai will be free of charge except for the parking lots of the Fish Market and the Multi-level Parking terminal starting from Sunday 3rd July, and fees will be activated on Saturday 9 July."
 

Al Marri added that trains will be running almost 24 hours during the holidays. 

 

Red Line stations

Tuesday 5 July: 5.30am to 11.59pm.

Wednesday 6 July: 12am to 2am; 5.50am to 11.59pm.

Thursday 7 July: 12am to 2am; 5.30am to 11.59pm.

Friday 8 July: 12am to 2am; 10am to 11.59pm.

Saturday 9 July: 12am to 2am.

 

Green Line stations

5 July:  5.50am to 11.59pm

6, 7 July: 12am to 2am; 5.50am to 11.59pm

8 July: 12am to 2am; 10am to 11.59pm

9 July: 12am to 2am.

The tram service will operate from 5 to 7 July from 6:30am to 1am the next day. On 8 July, the tram service will start at 9am and continue up to 1am on 9 July.

The Route C01 bus will operate around the clock. Other public buses will have varied timings:

 

Main bus stations, e.g. the Gold Souk

6, 7 July: 5.20am to 12 midnight (next day)

 

Al Ghubaiba Station; subsidiary stations, such as Al Qusais and Satwa

6, 7 July: 5am to 12 midnight (next day)

 

Al Quoz Industrial Area station

6, 7 July: 5.30am to 11.30pm

 

Jebel Ali station 

6, 7 July: 6am to 10.15pm 

 

Metro feeder service stations such as Rashidiya, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta, Abu Hail, Etisalat, and Burj Khalifa Dubai Mall

6, 7 July: 5.15am to 1.10am (next day)

 

The service timing of commercial transport and inter-city bus services will be as follows: 

 

Main stations, such as Ghubaiba to:

Sharjah (Jubail): 24 hours 

Abu Dhabi: 5am to 12:50am the following day

 

Subsidiary stations, such as Sabkha will start at 6.30am and continue to 12 midnight. 

Union Square Station: 5am to 12:30am the next day. 

Deira City Center: 6:55am to 10pm. 

Karama Station: 6:10am to 10:15pm. 

Al Ahli Club Station: 7am to 11pm. 

 

External stations: 

Sharjah (Al Taawon): 7am to 11:30pm.

Al Fujairah Station: 6:45am to 10:30pm.

Ajman Station: 6am to 11:30pm.

Hatta Station: 6:30am to 10:40pm.

From 5 to 7 July, water buses at Marina Stations (Marina Mall, Marina Walk, Marina Terrace, and Marina Promenade) will run from 12 noon to 12 midnight. 

Water taxis will operate daily from 9am to 10pm. 

At Al Ghubaiba Station, the water taxi will operate from 4pm to 10pm

At Dubai Marina station it will operate from 2pm to 10pm. 

From Jumeirah Palm Atlantis, the service timings will be from 4pm to 10pm. 

From Jumeirah Palm Station (Rexos) it will run from 11am to 5pm.

Dubai Ferry will operate at Al Ghubaiba and Marina stations during the Eid holidays at 11am, 1pm, and then at 3pm, 5pm and 6:30pm.

The working hours of traditional abra (boats) at Dubai Creek Stations (Al Ghubaiba, Al Sabkha, Baniyas, and Dubai Old Souk) will be from 10am to 12 midnight. The Blue (electrical) abra will operate at Burj Khalifa from 6pm up to 11pm, at Al Mamzar from 2pm to 12 midnight, and at Atlantis from 1pm to 9pm. The air-conditioned abra at Al Jaddaf will operate from 7am to 12 midnight.

All service providers and partner centres will be closed from 5 to 7 July 2016.
Interested?

View detailed Eid al Fitr timings for all RTA services

Qatar announces Eid al Fitr holiday dates

The Emiri Diwan in Qatar has announced the dates for the Eid Al Fitr holiday for government entities and public institutions.

According to the announcement, which was reported by the Qatar News Agency, the holiday begins from July 3 and ends on July 11. Work resumes on July 12.

For the Qatar Central Bank (QCB), banks, financial institutions under QCB's jurisdiction, and the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), the QCB governor will specify the start and end dates of the holiday.

Banks to be closed over Eid al Fitr holiday in Kuwait

All banks in Kuwait will be closed from July 5 to 9 for the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, the Kuwait Banking Association (KBA) has announced, according to a report from the Kuwait News Agency.

According to a notice by the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK), all banks will resume operations on July 10.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) had announced that the Eid Al-Fitr holiday starts on July 5 and ends on July 9 irrespective of whether the month of Ramadhan totals 29 or 30 days.

Oman announces dates of Eid al Fitr holiday for 2016

Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud al-Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, Chairman of the Civil Service Council in Oman has announced that the Eid Al Fitr holiday for employees at the ministries, public authorities and other departments of the State Administrative Apparatus will start 5 July 2016 (29 Ramadhan 1437) and end 9 July (3 Shawwal 1437). Work resumes on 10 July 2016. 

Sheikh Abdullah bin Nassir al-Bakri, Minister of Manpower stated the Eid Al Fitr holiday at the private sector will also be from 5 till 9 July.

Employees whose weekly off-days coincide with the holiday must be compensated.

Moon-sighting to determine the start of the month of Shawwal, and therefore the end of Ramadhan and the beginning of Eid will be declared by the competent authorities. 

The decisions were reported by the Oman News Agency.

January sukuk issuances by the Central Bank of Bahrain oversubscribed to date

The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has announced that the monthly issue of the Sukuk Al-Salam Islamic securities for the BD43 million issue, issue no. 177, has been oversubscribed by 154%.

The expected return on the issue, which begins on 20 January 2016 and matures on 20 April 2016, a maturity of 91 days, is 1.9% compared to 1.75% for the previous issue on 23 December 2015.

The CBB earlier announced that the monthly issue of the short-term Islamic leasing bonds, Sukuk Al-Ijara, issue No. 125, have been oversubscribed by 185%.

Subscriptions worth BD48 million were received for the BD26 million issue, which carries a maturity of 182 days. The expected return on the issue, which begins on 14 January 2016 and matures on 14 July 2016, is 2% compared to 1.8% for the previous issue on 17 December 2015.

Both Sukuk Al-Salam and Sukuk Al-Ijara are issued by the CBB on behalf of the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

View the al Sabah Collection at the Google Cultural Institute

Source: al Sabah Collection, from the Google Cultural Institute. Captioned. 'Inscribed Royal Gemstone, 1,001 AD'. Rectangular emerald stone, w3.35 x h2.92 cm, inscribed with seven lines of 'naskhi' script from the Quran (2:255). View this item online.

The al Sabah Collection, regarded by international authorities as one of a small handful of the most comprehensive collections of Islamic art in the world.  has 48 items available for viewing online via the Google Cultural Institute.

The Collection was begun in 1975 when Sheikh Nasser Sabah al Ahmed al Sabah purchased a mid-14th century enamelled glass bottle from a London art gallery. Curated by Sheikh Nasser and his wife Sheikha Hussah Sabah al Salem al Sabah, the Collection was moved in 1983 from Sheikh Nasser’s private residence to a new location at the Kuwait National Museum. The building became known as Dar al Athar al Islamiyyah (DAI), and Sheikha Hussah became the organisation’s Director General. Since its inception in 1983, DAI has diversified from managing the loan of the al Sabah Collection of art from the Islamic world to the State of Kuwait to becoming an internationally-recognised cultural organisation.

The Collection has now grown to more than 30,000 objects representing the full geographic and chronological range of the Islamic world, from Spain to China, from the 7th to 19th centuries. It features all aspects of art, including arms and armour, calligraphy, carpets and textiles, ceramics, coins, ivory, jewellery, extraordinary manuscripts and miniatures, metalwork, scientific instruments, stone and stucco, wood and glass. The Collection actively publishes volumes focused on its holdings, organises special exhibitions, and loans objects to exhibitions elsewhere in the world.

Interested?

View the Suroor Asia blog post on the Google Cultural Institute and the Aan Collection

Emirates Islamic opens new forex counter at Al Maktoum International Airport

Source: Emirates Islamic. Emirates Islamic’s Foreign Exchange Counter at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central.

Emirates Islamic today announced the opening of a foreign exchange (FX) counter at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central. The new FX counter, located at the airport’s departure lounge, will enable travellers and tourists to exchange up to 19 currencies at highly competitive rates.

In addition to Al Maktoum International Airport, the bank operates a FX counter at Port Rashid Cruise Terminal. Foreign exchange and remittance services are an important aspect of Emirates Islamic’s retail product suite, with the bank offering regular seasonal promotions and competitive rates on the currencies available.

Faisal Aqil, Deputy CEO - Consumer Wealth Management, Emirates Islamic, said: “Al Maktoum International Airport is becoming an increasingly busy destination and is expected to handle over 26 million passengers by 2017. We are extremely pleased to open an Emirates Islamic counter to serve the needs of travellers using the airport. As part of our strategy to expand our foreign exchange offerings, we plan to open more counters at high-traffic locations such as malls and airports, as well as continue offering the best offers and rates to our customers.”

Bank Nizwa launches shari'ah compliant MasterCard family

Source: Bank Nizwa.

Bank Nizwa has launched a suite of shari'ah-compliant credit cards in partnership with MasterCard. The Bank Nizwa MasterCard credit cards offer financial flexibility in more than 35 million locations worldwide.

"Since inception, we have been providing customers throughout Oman with an enriched banking experience that caters to a wide range of segments, equipping them with the best options to meet their evolving needs," said Dr Jamil El Jaroudi, CEO of Bank Nizwa. "Today we are introducing four new cards to the Bank's long list of shari'ah-compliant products and services that offer the most flexible payment plans complemented by MasterCard's unmatched benefits, bringing seamless and more convenient ways to transact around the world."

Raghav Prasad, General Manager for Gulf Countries, MasterCard commented: "Through strategic partnerships, we are able to provide cardholders with value-added benefits, premium privileges and rewards. By collaborating with Bank Nizwa, we are actively rewarding MasterCard cardholders for using their cards to enjoy simple, safe and secure transactions."

Bank Nizwa's MasterCard rollout introduces the Basic, Standard, Gold, and Platinum cards. The cards were developed in line with the Islamic finance concept of qard al hassan, whereby customers will be charged a fixed monthly subscription fee rather than a percentage against their outstanding balances.

Qasr Al Hosn Festival expands programme for February 2016

Source: Qasr Al Hosn Festival. The 2015 festival attracted 120,000 visitors in 11 days.

The annual Qasr Al Hosn Festival is set to return to the UAE capital from February 3 to 13, 2016. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the 2016 festival will celebrate the Qasr Al Hosn's status as a historic monument and community hub, and honour the UAE’s founders and their leadership.

Qasr Al Hosn, which is the symbolic birthplace of the Emirate and home to Abu Dhabi’s ruling Al Nahyan family, continues to undergo a comprehensive process of preservation, restoration and rehabilitation. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the festival narrates the ongoing conservation of the fort, and reinforces the Qasr Al Hosn site as the cultural heart of Abu Dhabi.

“Without exception, the Qasr Al Hosn Festival has grown to become a cultural highlight of the Emirate’s scene. As the symbolic birthplace of Abu Dhabi and a valuable monument of traditional Emirati heritage, Qasr Al Hosn's enduring legacy is reflected through this annual festival and is an opportunity for the community and visitors to gather and celebrate national history. We are sure the inspiring interactive programme will emphasise the nation's heritage and identity in a celebratory atmosphere,” said His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, TCA Abu Dhabi Chairman.

This year’s festival will present the outcome of the Conservation Management Plan for the urban block of Qasr Al Hosn including the fort, the National Consultative Council, and the Cultural Foundation Building. The fourth edition of the Qasr Al Hosn Festival will present ongoing conservation works and archaeological activities at the Fort, particularly the reinstatement of the 1940’s façade of the outer palace. 

The experience will conclude at the Qasr Al Hosn Centre where visitors can tour the Qasr Al Hosn Exhibition, which will provide insight on those who dwelled in the fort and explain the significance of the buildings, outlining how the historical context of Qasr Al Hosn is now shaping the area’s master plan.

The Festival’s popular Desert, Oasis, Marine and Abu Dhabi Island zones return, with interactive activations, re-enactments and workshops. An Arena Zone will house a series of performances and family-oriented activities dedicated to themes which reflect the cultural significance of the site on the development of the Emirate and its people.

The Festival will also include a lively hub of visual and performing arts programmes, workshops, cultural and interactive learning experiences. Parts of the Cultural Foundation will once again open to the public during the Festival days, and will host a series of educational and informative exhibitions and activities through a comprehensive public programme.

GPIC Women's Committee visit Salmaniya Medical Complex for Eid Al Adha

Members of the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) Womens' Committee in Bahrain visited the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) on the occasion of Eid Al Adha to present gifts to sick children under treatment at the hospital, the Bahrain News Agency has reported. 

In a statement, GPIC President Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery praised the committee’s efforts to build bridges and provide the necessary support to the Bahraini society. Dr Jawahery said the company, under the guidance of the Board of Directors, is keen to provide support for projects and programmes aimed that benefit the local community. 

The children’s parents thanked the committee and said they were very pleased with the children being given an opportunity to celebrate the festival in a spirit of happiness.

The visit was part of GPIC's community service programme.

Kuwait Red Crescent Society distributes meat to Syrian refugees in Lebanon for Eid

The Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) has distributed meat to Syrian refugees in Lebanon over two days. Seven hundred Syrian refugee families in northern Lebanon and Zahle city in east Lebanon received Eid meat on 24 September, while 550 families in south and east Lebanon received meat for Eid Al-Adha on the 25th, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) has reported. 

The KRCS has been doing this for three years, said KRCS Representative Mohammad Al-Muteiri to KUNA. Eid meat recipients on 25 September included 250 families in Sidon in south Lebanon and 300 families in Beqaa in east Lebanon.

Kuwait's humanitarian initiatives and projects serving Syrian refugees in Lebanon involve bread, Ramadhan meals and Eid Al-Adha meat as well as clothing.

NBK bring Eid Al Adha greetings and gifts to children at NBK hospital

Source: NBK.

Staff from the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) family have paid a visit to NBK Hospital at Sabah Medical district to share Eid Al Adha with children suffering from permanent and incurable ailments. NBK has a tradition of comforting sick children and presenting them with felicitations and gifts as part of NBK’s corporate social responsibility programme.

"Sharing the happy moments of Eid Al Adha and other similar occasions with children is our pleasure. We are proud that NBK devotes such attention to supporting Kuwait society and providing compassion and support for those in need, including sick children. NBK's commitment to its corporate social responsibility was the basic motive that led NBK to build its children's hospital at Sabah Medical district many years ago," NBK Public Relations Officer Talal Al Turki said.

Al Rajhi Bank announces Eid hours

Al Rajhi Bank announced that work resumes on the second day of the Eid holiday for 145 branches and Tahweel centers, with the exception of airport branches which will operate 24 hours a day during the Eid holiday.

The branches were chosen to provide coverage for all areas of KSA in addition to the new e-facilities at the Sulaimania branch in Riyadh, which is equipped with ATMs and interactive machines. Customers will be served during working hours.
Saleh Al Zumaea, Acting GM, individual banking group, stated that this large number of branches working during the holiday reflects the bank's dedication to be available for citizens and residents that require banking services. Electronic channels will be available around the clock, with more than 4,000 ATMs and more than 45,000 POS devices all over the kingdom, in addition to the bank’s website and Al Rajhi phone banking.

There are airport branches at King Khaled Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah, King Fahd Airport in Dammam, and Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madinah.

Rotana introduces Eid Al Adha promotion

Source: Rotana e-newsletter.

Rotana has an Eid promotion* at its hotels and resorts in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Doha, Dubai, Erbil, Kuwait-City, Fujairah, Istanbul, Karbala, Khartoum, Makkah, Manama, Salalah, Sharjah, Sharm El Sheikh and Ras Al Khaimah.

Those who book for 17 to 26 September qualify for complimentary breakfast,
complimentary Wi-Fi , and a 20% discount on all other services, including food and beverage, spa treatments, and the minibar.

Interested?

Book an Eid Al Adha stay*

*Selected terms and conditions

The 20% discount excludes retail shops and Al Mawal Restaurant. Rate has to be fully prepaid, is unchangeable and non-refundable. Not valid in conjunction with any other promotions or discount cards. Eid Al Adha promotion excludes Al Marwa Rayhaan by Rotana. Promotion is valid from the 17th to the 26th of September 2015. Other terms & conditions apply.

Eid Al Adha holidays in Oman, UAE announced

The Diwan of the Royal Court in Oman has announced the Eid Al Adha holidays for 2014, the Oman News Agency has reported.

Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al-Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, Chairman of the Civil Service Council has declared that the Eid Al Adha holiday for the year 1435 for employees at the ministries, public authorities and other departments of the state's administrative apparatus will start from Friday 9 Dhul Hijjah, corresponding to October 3, till Thursday 15 Dhul Hijjah, corresponding to October 9, 2014. Work will resume on Sunday October 12.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al-Bakri, Minister of Manpower, issued a ministerial decision stating that Eid Al Adha holiday for the private sector will be for a corresponding period, from 9 to 15 Dhul Hijjah.

Eid al Adha holidays for the UAE were announced the same day. The Emirates News Agency (WAM) said that Hussein Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, had issued a circular to the effect that the Eid Al Adha holiday for Federal Ministries and Departments is to start on October 3, and end on Monday, October 6. Normal Federal Government business hours will resume on October 7.

WAM further reported that the private sector in institutions and private sector companies in the country will receive a paid Eid Al Adha holiday from October 3 to 5. The news came in a circular issued by Saqr bin Ghobash, Minister of Labour, in accordance with Federal Law, which states that the Eid Al Adha holiday and Arafa Day will be three days.

Update: On September 29, the Central Bank of Bahrain announced that Eid Al Adha holidays run from October 4 to 7, with work resuming on October 8. The Banking Operations Directorates will however be open from October 7.

Eid Al Adha announced in Saudi Arabia

Eid Al Adha will be on October 4 in Saudi Arabia, reported the Saudi Press Agency. The High Court of the Kingdom announced on the evening of September 24 that the crescent moon marking the start of the month of Dhul Hajja for the Hijri year 1435 had been seen just after sunset that evening.

The sighting of the moon officially marks 25 September as the first day of Dhul Hajja, making the standing of the Hajj pilgrimage at Mount Arafat on the outskirts of Makkah on 9th Dhul Hajja the 3rd of October 2014. Eid Al Adha therefore falls on the next day, October 4. 

The National has also published Eid Al Adha opening hours for malls in Dubai. According to the daily, Deira City Centre, Mirdif City Centre, Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Festival City will stay open till 2am on weekdays and 3am on weekends from September 25 and October 11.

The Emirates 24/7 news portal earlier said that Kuwait government departments will be closed from October 3 to 12 for Eid.