E-edition of Omani Calendar launched

The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs launched the new identity for the Omani Calendar Application and for the first time e-Zakat System. The launch was held under the auspices of Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al Busaidy, Minister of Interior. Shaikh Abdullah bin Mohammed al Salmy, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, and other high level officials were present on the occasion. [gallery columns='4' link='file' ids='398471,398462,398460,398486'] Available in both Arabic and English, the calendar is an electronic app that provides Hijri and Gregorian dates, positions of nearby masjids, prayer times, phases of the moon each month and Qibla directions. It offers different services, including Zakat, Haj and Awqaf, besides providing users with the Juma speech. The app will provide links to the ministry’s initiatives, including Oman’s messages of Islam, electronic system for teaching the Holy Quran and information about distance learning faculty of Sharia science. It will provide options for creating/preparing electronic memos to remind users of important events. The project is considered one of the ministry’s achievements, and a part of the country’s strategy towards digital transformation. “Electronic transformation has become mandatory, not optional, as fast changes happening around the world make us keep in touch with up-to-date technologies. This is what the ministry has been keen on doing,” said Ammar al Rawahi, Head of Astronomical Department. The calendar, both soft and hard formats, was brought out for the first time in 2012. It is now regularly updated. Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, Director of International Astronomical Centre (IAC), said: “Electronic versions of calendars have several advantages, including being easier to distribute, and update or change the content.” “Oman has always been known for its accuracy in calculating prayer times as well as announcement of beginnings of Hijri months.” Zainab al Nassri