PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF MOON SATURDAY NIGHT

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- Muslims are encouraged to perform
khusuf (eclipse) optional prayers in conjunction with a partial eclipse of the
moon Saturday night.

Islamic Development Department (Jakim) Islamic affairs assistant officer
Noor Syarizal Mohd Nunar said the eclipse prayers can be done after Maghrib
(sunset) prayers either individually or in congregation.

He said Muslims were invited to perform khusuf optional prayers, which would
be accompanied by a special sermon on moon eclipse, at the National Mosque and
Putrajaya Mosque.

The partial eclipse of the moon will start with a penumbra (shadow) phase at
4.57pm and reaches the maximum eclipse at 7.30pm before it is expected to end at
10.22pm, according to the National Space Agency (Angkasa).

Meanwhile, the public could observe the partial lunar eclipse at the
National Planetarium here between 7.38pm and 10.20pm.

According to the Angkasa website, telescopes would be provided for free for
the partial eclipse of the moon observation from 8pm to 10pm.

-- BERNAMA