标签： Asia

Oman stands poised to grant its residents an extended five-day public holiday for Eid Al Fitr in 2026, potentially offering one of the region’s longest festive breaks. This anticipated extension stems from the Sultanate’s unique lunar calendar observations that diverged from neighboring Gulf nations.

The foundation for this extended celebration dates to February 17, 2026, when Oman joined 26 other countries in announcing the Ramadan crescent had not been sighted, consequently establishing February 19 as the commencement of the holy month. This astronomical positioning means Oman will attempt to sight the Shawwal crescent on Thursday, March 19, 2026, which marks the conclusion of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid celebrations.

According to Oman’s official holiday decree 88/2022, the Eid Al Fitr holiday traditionally spans from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. Crucially, the regulation stipulates that if either Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha commences on a Friday, citizens receive compensatory time off. Multiple Omani media outlets, referencing astronomical projections, indicate Eid will likely begin on Friday, March 20, 2026.

This celestial alignment would create an official holiday period from Thursday, March 19 through Sunday, March 22, with the compensatory day off on Monday, March 23—collectively forming a five-day break. Final confirmation remains subject to the actual moon sighting by Omani authorities, maintaining the Islamic tradition of empirical lunar observation.

Meanwhile, regional comparisons reveal varying holiday schedules. The United Arab Emirates has announced a four-day public sector holiday from March 19-22, while private sector employees receive March 19-21 off, with Sunday workers returning on March 22 unless Ramadan extends to 30 days.

Xizang’s civil aviation sector achieved unprecedented growth in 2025, surpassing eight million annual passengers for the first time in history. According to regional aviation authorities, the autonomous region handled 71,000 flights throughout the year while moving 8.06 million passengers and 56,000 tons of cargo and mail. These figures represent substantial year-on-year increases of 6.9%, 6%, and 8% respectively, demonstrating remarkable expansion in regional air connectivity.

The growth trajectory—adding approximately one million passengers compared to 2024—has been fueled by strategic infrastructure development. The expansion centers around Lhasa Gonggar International Airport, supported by seven regional feeder airports. New routes connecting Lhasa with Chengdu and Guangzhou were established, alongside connections from Ngari prefecture and Lhokha to Chengdu. Authorities resumed popular routes linking Fujian and Chongqing with Lhasa while increasing flight frequencies to major hub cities including Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xi’an.

Xizang’s aviation network now encompasses 204 air routes operated by 12 airlines, connecting the region to 84 domestic and international destinations. This enhanced connectivity has significantly strengthened ties between Xizang and other Chinese regions while dramatically improving accessibility for residents in remote areas.

Technological advancements have played a crucial role in supporting this growth. Lhasa’s Terminal 3 has implemented paperless check-in systems, facial recognition boarding, and AI-assisted image screening technology. Additional passenger convenience measures include multilingual translation devices, priority security services, and expanded cabin options, collectively elevating the travel experience for the growing number of passengers.

In the snow-blanketed valleys beneath western Tianshan Mountains, a centuries-old tradition undergoes remarkable economic transformation. Zhaosu County, nestled within Xinjiang’s Ili River Valley, has successfully redefined the role of horses in its regional economy as traditional functions faded into obsolescence.

The region, historically celebrated for its legendary ‘Tianma’ (heavenly horses) and strategic position along the Grassland Silk Road, faced economic challenges as modernization rendered equine transport and military applications increasingly irrelevant. Rather than allowing this cultural cornerstone to diminish, local authorities implemented a comprehensive strategy to reinvent the animal’s economic value through diversified applications.

By late 2025, Zhaosu maintained approximately 122,300 horses within a broader regional population exceeding 500,000—representing nearly one-seventh of China’s total equine population. This substantial herd now serves revamped purposes across multiple sectors including recreational riding, competitive sports, and specialized breeding for dual-purpose milk-and-meat production.

The county established sophisticated infrastructure including state-owned breeding farms, artificial insemination networks, and Xinjiang’s inaugural performance-testing center specifically designed for sport- and leisure-oriented breeding programs. A advanced equine hospital featuring operating theaters, serology laboratories, and molecular diagnostics facilities represents China’s veterinary cutting-edge, collaborating with prestigious institutions including China Agricultural University.

Competitive events have flourished, with over 420 races and equestrian competitions hosted since 2021. The internationally recognized Super Derby International Equestrian TREC Endurance on Silk Road attracted participants from multiple nations including the United States, Italy, and Spain, featuring routes extending 500 kilometers.

Tourism integration has proven particularly successful, with seasonal spectacles like summer’s ‘horses bathing in the river’ and winter’s ‘heavenly horses treading snow’ generating substantial visitor numbers. The county welcomed approximately 9.4 million tourists in 2025—remarkable figures for a region with under 200,000 permanent residents.

Downstream economic diversification includes biotechnology ventures processing horse fat into cosmetics and traditional medicines, integrating local production into national supply chains. The equine industry now generates 1.53 billion yuan ($220.47 million) annually, sustaining thousands of local families through processing operations, cultural tourism, and professional services.

Policy support from Jiangsu’s Taizhou municipality under China’s regional assistance program has injected over 55.81 million yuan since 2023, reinforcing breed improvement, product processing, and brand development initiatives. This strategic reinvention demonstrates how traditional assets can find renewed economic relevance through innovation and market-oriented adaptation.

Saudi Arabia has achieved an unprecedented milestone in religious tourism as the Haramain authorities reported a record-breaking 904,000 Umrah pilgrims on the fourth day of Ramadan (February 21, 2026). This remarkable figure, corresponding to the 4th of Ramadan, 1447 AH in the Islamic calendar, nearly doubles last year’s peak of 500,000 pilgrims recorded on March 7.

In response to the massive influx of worshippers during Ramadan, Saudi authorities have implemented comprehensive safety and crowd management protocols. The Mataf area—the sacred white marble courtyard encircling the Kaaba—has been designated exclusively for Umrah performers throughout daylight hours to ensure ritual safety.

Security measures have been significantly enhanced at the Grand Mosque to accommodate the surge in worshippers. Authorities have established clear directional signage regulating movement through mosque entrances while prohibiting congregation in walkways, roads, and courtyards. To address transportation challenges, organized public bus services are operating from King Abdulaziz International Airport and 14 designated parking areas—nine within the holy capital and five on approaching highways.

Pedestrian management has been prioritized with dedicated walking routes in the central area where vehicle access is restricted during prayer times. Unauthorized motorcycles and bicycles face prohibitions, while improperly parked vehicles are subject to towing and penalties. For periods of extreme crowding, worshippers unable to access the Grand Mosque or its external courtyards are being directed to nearby mosques and specially equipped prayer halls.

The authorities have issued guidance for prayer attendance, noting that spaces fill rapidly during Friday prayers, Maghrib, Isha, Tarawih, and Tahajjud prayers—particularly during Ramadan’s final ten days. Worshippers are advised to proceed to available courtyards and designated areas as directed by security personnel.