Upcoming Partial Solar Eclipse: No Ritual Prayers in Morocco
On the evening of August 12, Morocco is set to experience a spectacular partial solar eclipse, yet this significant astronomical event will not be accompanied by the customary ritual prayers that often occur during such phenomena. The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs announced on August 10 that the Salat al-Kusuf, the prayer designated for eclipses, would not be performed in mosques across the Kingdom. This decision is based on the timing of the eclipse, which is expected to occur after the Al-Asr prayer and before sunset, a period when it is traditionally discouraged to perform supererogatory prayers.
Conditions for the Eclipse Prayer
According to the Maliki school of thought, which is followed in Morocco, the eclipse prayer can only be conducted during specified times allowed for supererogatory prayers, specifically before the sun reaches its zenith. Since the timing of this eclipse does not coincide with this permissible window, the necessary conditions for performing the prayer are not met. The eclipse is anticipated to take place between approximately 6:44 PM and 8:40 PM, remaining visible in Morocco until sunset. Notably, in cities like Tangier, over 90% of the solar disk will be obscured, while Casablanca will witness about 87% coverage.
As per the European Space Agency, only a partial view of the eclipse will be observable from Moroccan territory. The total eclipse will predominantly be visible in other regions, including Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and limited areas of northeastern Portugal. Caution is advised for the public regarding direct viewing of the sun; observers are strongly encouraged to use certified ISO 12312-2 glasses or specialized solar filters to prevent lasting eye damage.
As reported by lebrief.ma.
