The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday the execution of two Egyptian nationals, Ashraf Mohamed Ali Obeid and Osama Abdel Hamid Mohamed Yassin . The executions were carried out after they were found guilty of a serious security and criminal offense: receiving a quantity of amphetamine pills with the intent to distribute them within the Kingdom, thus posing a direct threat to the security and safety of society and its members.

Details of the arrest and trial

In detail, thanks to vigilance and continuous field monitoring, the competent security authorities were able to apprehend the aforementioned perpetrators. Following the completion of a thorough investigation, they were formally charged with the crime and referred to the competent court for consideration. A legal ruling was issued confirming the charges against them and sentencing them to death by way of discretionary punishment (ta'zir) due to the gravity and seriousness of the crime. The ruling became final and binding after being upheld by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, and a royal decree was issued ordering the execution of the legally mandated sentence. The sentence was carried out today in the Tabuk region.

The war on drugs: a firm security context

This execution comes within the context of the comprehensive and decisive security campaign led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to combat the scourge of drugs, known in the media and among the public as the “War on Drugs.” The Kingdom’s government places paramount importance on protecting the nation’s borders and internal security from smuggling and trafficking attempts that systematically target the social fabric, particularly the youth, who represent the cornerstone of the Kingdom’s future and its ambitious vision. Saudi law classifies drug smuggling and trafficking as crimes of “corruption on earth,” which warrant the severest legal and Sharia penalties to deter anyone who dares to tamper with the nation’s security and resources.

Societal harm and deterrent penalties

Security and social studies confirm that drugs, especially amphetamine pills, cause serious harm not only to the individual user but also to families, leading to social disintegration, increased crime rates, and the loss of innocent lives. Therefore, the Ministry of Interior is committed to applying deterrent legal penalties against smugglers and dealers to protect youth and society from these deadly poisons and to safeguard public and private rights.

The Ministry of Interior concluded its statement by strongly emphasizing the Kingdom’s government’s commitment to maintaining security and achieving justice, while warning all those who commit such criminal acts that the sword and legal punishment will be their inevitable fate, and the security services will not hesitate to track down those involved and bring them to justice.

The Al-Majmaah University Astronomical Observatory in Hawtat Sudair revealed today (Tuesday) the details and scientific conditions related to observing the crescent moon of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH. This preliminary data clarifies for the public and specialists the observation coordinates for Tuesday, the 29th of Sha'ban 1447 AH, corresponding to February 17, 2026, the day designated for sighting the crescent moon.

Details of astronomical calculations and sunset times

The observatory explained in its statement that, based on precise scientific calculations adopted at the observatory's astronomical site, and according to the Umm al-Qura calendar, the moment of central conjunction will occur, God willing, at 3:03 PM Riyadh time. Regarding Mecca, the calculations indicate that the sun will set at 6:19 PM, while the crescent moon will set shortly afterward at 6:23 PM, meaning the crescent will remain visible on the horizon for a short period after sunset.

As for the main observation site at the Majmaah University Observatory in Hawtat Sudair, the calculations showed that the sun will set at 5:52 pm at 257 degrees, followed by the crescent moon setting at 5:54 pm at 256 degrees. Thus, the time difference between sunset and moonset will be only two minutes, as the crescent moon sets after the sun at an altitude of 0.5 degrees and an elongation of 1.61 degrees from the sun.

The importance of astronomical observation in the Kingdom

The sighting of the new moon in Saudi Arabia is of paramount importance, not only locally but also regionally and within the wider Islamic world, given the connection of religious observances such as fasting and Hajj to the timing of the new moon, and the Kingdom's status as the Qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims. The Kingdom relies on the legitimate sighting of the new moon (with the naked eye or binoculars) to establish the beginning of the Islamic months, in accordance with Islamic law, while also utilizing precise astronomical calculations to guide those observing and scientifically confirm the possibility of sighting the new moon.

The role and scientific standing of the Hawtat Sudair Observatory

The Al-Majmaah University Observatory in Hawtat Sudair is one of the most important astronomical observatories in the region, distinguished by its strategic geographical location and the nature of its terrain, which aids in observation. The observatory exerts diligent efforts to provide accurate scientific data that contributes to supporting official moon-sighting committees and the Supreme Court in making decisions regarding the beginning of lunar months. This scientific data on the "crescent's visibility period" (the duration it remains visible after the sun) is a crucial factor in guiding predictions about the possibility of sighting the crescent. Current data for the year 1447 AH indicates the sensitivity and critical nature of the situation due to the short visibility period (two minutes), making observation a process that requires high precision and ideal weather conditions.