UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has marked the start of Ramadan on the International Space Station.
On Friday, he shared stunning views of the crescent moon becoming visible after the sun set.
Dr Al Neyadi, 41, arrived at the orbiting laboratory on March 3 for a six-month mission, the Arab world’s first long-duration space trip.
In a video shared on his Twitter, he shows night-time views from the station’s cupola — an observatory module — with the Sun setting in the horizon and then he zooms into the Moon, with a small part lit up from the reflection of the Sun.
“We will see the crescent of Ramadan after the sun sets,” Dr Al Neyadi said.
“When the sun sets it is like twilight, a state in which the sky becomes golden or red.
“The sun is setting now. Everything has turned red and there is twilight for a few seconds. Now you see how the stars and planets appear.
“We see the crescent of Ramadan. May God bring blessings to everyone.”
Astronauts use GMT timings on the station because they see 16 sunrises and sunsets.
This means Dr Al Neyadi will be observing Ramadan using GMT timings if he chooses to fast.
It is not compulsory for Muslims to fast while they are travelling.
“Throughout the six months, we will be passing through very nice occasions like Eid and Ramadan,” Dr Al Neyadi said during a preflight press conference.
“I’m in the definition of a traveller, and we can actually break fast and it’s not compulsory.
“And, actually, fasting is not compulsory if you’re not feeling well. Eating sufficient food is allowed if lack of food, nutrition or dehydration can jeopardise the mission, or maybe put a crew member at risk.”
He said that if he gets the opportunity, he will observe some fasts, and will share some of the meals with his colleagues on board the station.
Dr Al Neyadi is not the first Muslim to spend Ramadan in space.
Prince Sultan bin Salman of Saudi Arabia was the first Muslim in space when he flew the US space shuttle Discovery in 1985.
He was fasting on the day he launched into space, which was the last day of Ramadan.
In his book Seven Days in Space, he spoke extensively about carrying out his Islamic duties during his training and time in space.
He spoke about eating suhoor — the predawn meal — on the day of lift-off, praying on the launch tower before boarding the spaceship, fasting while in space and reading the Quran.
Prince Sultan also spent Eid Al Fitr on the shuttle. He said that he was “ecstatic” to be spending the special day in space and that he would “celebrate it in my own way”.
Malaysian astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor also spent a few days of Ramadan in space in 2007.
He launched on a Russian Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome spaceport.
On May 12, two Saudi astronauts will launch to the ISS as part of the Ax-2 mission, a private trip to the station by Axiom Space.
This will bring the total number of Arabs and Muslim astronauts together in space at the same to a record number of three.
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi speaks to the public - in pictures
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
The biog
Name: Greg Heinricks
From: Alberta, western Canada
Record fish: 56kg sailfish
Member of: International Game Fish Association
Company: Arabian Divers and Sportfishing Charters
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
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La Mer lowdown
La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
