With Eid al-Adha on everyone's minds in the Sultanate, stories around the festival dominated headlines this week. Here's a look at our top five stories from the past week, with our weekly News Rewind.
The date for Eid al-Adha in Oman was announced by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs. Accordingly to a statement from the ministry: Arafa Day which is 9th Dhul Hijja, 1438 AH shall be on Thursday, 31 August, 2017. Therefore, Friday, 10th Dhul Hijja, 1438 AH — corresponding to 1 September, 2017 — shall be the first day of Eid Al Adha.
The announcement came after the Moon Sighting Committee met to determine the start of the next month in the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijja. Eid falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijja.
Oman Airports Management Company announced new rules for passenger baggage, that will take effect from September 1. According to the new rules, passengers will no longer be allowed to check in round and irregular shaped luggage items wrapped in blankets, linen or tied with rope at the Muscat International, Salalah and Suhar airports.
Eight people were killed in an accident on the Salalah Road last Friday, taking the death toll on the road to 24 in eight weeks. The accident was caused by a tyre blowout, the Royal Oman Police said, and took the lives of six Omanis and two Yemeni nationals.
And finally, while Oman waits for the official announcement of the Eid al-Adha holidays in the country, UAE announced its holidays for the public sector. Holidays in the UAE will begin on Thursday, August 31st and work will resume on Monday, September 4th.