Our Correspondent
DUBAI
Citizens and residents of the UAE were in for a celestial treat when a partial annular eclipse, commonly known as a solar eclipse, happened on June 21. It commenced at 8.14 am when the moon began moving in front of the sun, and was over by 11.12 am.
Annular eclipses occur when the Moon – passing between Earth and the Sun – is not quite close enough to our planet to completely obscure sunlight, leaving a thin ring of the solar disc visible.
The solar eclipse also coincides with the official start of the summer.
the General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments had, on June 20, urged Muslims to perform the eclipse prayer at home in accordance with the precautionary measures taken in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It explained that the prayer begins and ends with the eclipse, namely when the sun is at a spear’s height above the horizon and continues until noon.
“Man can perform it at home or wherever he is singly or accompanied by his family; women can likewise perform it at home singly,” said the Authority, affirming that it’s not permissible under the current circumstances to congregate and perform the prayer collectively in jama’ah at home, mosques or workplaces or anywhere else.
With agency inputs
The first international concert from abroad in 2026 and the 2nd consecutive year of the monthly Carnatic Music concert series of the International Chamber, Parakkadathu Koyickal Trust, Tripunithura, Kerala, have been hosted from OHIO, U.S.A. Vocal Sangeetha Vidushi Ms. Dhivya Senthil Murugan, Violinist Ms. Medha Lalyt Iyer, and Mridangam Vidwan Sri Lalit Subramanian have accompanied on 13-02-2026 from OHIO, USA.
March 22, 2026
SRUTHI MATHAA… LAYA PITHAA… The International Chamber for Indian Music & Culture, an international initiative of Parakkadathu Koyickal Trust, Tripunithura, Kerala, has hosted the 2nd
