标签： Asia

The Khatm Astronomical Observatory in Abu Dhabi successfully documented the crescent moon marking the conclusion of the Islamic month of Rajab (1447 AH) on Sunday morning, January 18. This significant astronomical observation provides crucial data for determining the commencement of Shaban, the preparatory month preceding Ramadan.

Captured precisely at 11:00 AM local time, the image represents the 29th day of Rajab across numerous Islamic nations. At the moment of documentation, the moon positioned itself 7.3 degrees from the sun with an age of approximately 13 hours and 5 minutes. The observation team comprised Osama Ghannam, Anas Muhammad, Khalafan Al-Naimi, and Muhammad Awda from the International Astronomy Center.

According to Engineer Muhammad Shawkat Odeh, Director of the International Astronomy Center, most countries will likely begin Shaban on Tuesday, January 20, though some regions may commence the month on Wednesday, January 21. Astronomical calculations indicate the crescent will not be visible in many Islamic countries on the expected sighting day as the moon will set before sunset, prompting these nations to complete Rajab with 30 days.

The visibility conditions vary significantly across global regions. While countries including Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, and Albania may potentially spot the crescent using telescopes on Monday, January 19, naked-eye observation remains challenging. Optimal telescope viewing conditions are anticipated across central, western, and southern Africa, alongside parts of the Americas, with naked-eye visibility restricted to central American regions.

Sheikh Nasser Al Hammadi from Sharjah Islamic Affairs recently emphasized during a live lecture that Rajab constitutes one of the four sacred months within the Islamic Hijri calendar, during which transgressions carry heightened spiritual consequences while righteous deeds yield greater rewards. The conclusion of Rajab triggers global Muslim anticipation for Shaban’s arrival, which serves as both a spiritual preparatory period for Ramadan and an opportunity for increased voluntary worship, contemplation, and charitable acts.

Jerusalem’s highest Christian authorities have issued a stark warning against the growing influence of Christian Zionist ideologies, declaring them a fundamental threat to the survival of ancient Christian communities throughout the Holy Land. The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem released an official statement expressing profound concern about how these externally-driven theological movements are undermining the unity and stability of Christianity’s oldest continuous community.

The church leaders identified a troubling pattern where proponents of Christian Zionism—a theological framework that emphasizes unwavering support for modern Israel as fulfillment of biblical prophecy—receive official endorsement at both local and international levels. These ideologies, frequently promoted by political actors with ties to Israel, propagate the notion that material blessings follow those who provide uncritical support to the Israeli state.

This warning emerges against a backdrop of escalating pressures on Palestinian Christians, including land confiscation, expanding illegal settlements, and restrictive policies in occupied territories. A recent comprehensive report by the Council of Patriarchs documented how settlement expansion and punitive taxation policies specifically threaten the viability of Christian institutions across the West Bank and Gaza, with particularly severe impacts in East Jerusalem.

The educational sector has become a focal point of this struggle, with Christian schools in Jerusalem implementing mass strikes and class suspensions in response to Israeli restrictions on work permits for West Bank teachers. Palestinian church officials condemn these measures as deliberate attempts to disrupt Palestinian education and systematically diminish Jerusalem’s Christian presence through bureaucratic means.

Church authorities emphasize the urgent need for international awareness and protection mechanisms for Christian communities facing increasing settler violence and institutional pressures throughout the occupied territories.

Chinese disaster response authorities have initiated a Level IV emergency protocol across multiple central provinces in anticipation of a severe cold front expected to bring hazardous winter conditions. The National Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief Commission announced the measure on Sunday evening as meteorological warnings indicated significant temperature drops and complex precipitation patterns affecting Anhui, Henan, Hunan and Guizhou provinces.

The National Meteorological Center concurrently issued yellow alerts for cold waves and freezing conditions, supplemented by a blue alert for blizzards. Weather forecasts project extensive rain and snow coverage across central and eastern China from Sunday through Wednesday, with the powerful cold mass moving southward.

Emergency response coordination has been intensified with specialized working groups deployed to critical regions. The existing team in Henan will maintain operations while additional units have been dispatched to Hunan and Guizhou to provide on-site guidance and support local preparedness efforts.

Officials have been directed to implement comprehensive safety measures focusing on transportation infrastructure, power supply stability, and essential public services. Local authorities received specific instructions regarding timely snow and ice removal operations and emergency repairs to prevent casualties and substantial property damage. The commission emphasized the importance of proactive measures to mitigate the cold wave’s impact on vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure.

A severe industrial explosion rocked a sheet metal manufacturing facility operated by Baotou Steel Union Co Ltd in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Sunday afternoon. The incident, which occurred at precisely 3:05 pm local time, has resulted in multiple casualties and triggered a massive emergency response operation.

According to official statements from regional authorities, the immediate aftermath of the blast proved devastating. Preliminary assessments confirmed two fatalities, with five individuals remaining unaccounted for several hours after the explosion. The human toll extended significantly further, with sixty-six workers transported to medical facilities for emergency treatment. Among those hospitalized, three were reported to be in critical condition, fighting for their lives.

Emergency protocols were activated immediately following the detonation. Coordinated response teams comprising fire rescue units, law enforcement personnel, and medical emergency specialists converged on the disaster site. Specialized search and rescue equipment was deployed to facilitate operations within the compromised industrial complex. The comprehensive rescue mission continued into the evening hours, with teams working against time to locate missing personnel and secure the affected area.

The Baotou Steel Union Co Ltd facility, situated within one of China’s significant industrial regions, represents a major component of the area’s manufacturing infrastructure. While investigation teams have begun preliminary assessments, the specific cause of the explosion remains undetermined at this early stage. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in industrial safety management within manufacturing sectors.