عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Varieties

Minister of Islamic Affairs Directs Mosques in Saudi Arabia to Prepare for Eid Al-Fitr Prayer

Worshipers perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah during Ramadan. (SPA)
Worshipers perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah during Ramadan. (SPA)
TT
TT

Minister of Islamic Affairs Directs Mosques in Saudi Arabia to Prepare for Eid Al-Fitr Prayer

Worshipers perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah during Ramadan. (SPA)
Worshipers perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah during Ramadan. (SPA)

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh instructed on Sunday the ministry's branches all over the Kingdom to prepare for Eid Al-Fitr prayers at all designated prayer areas and mosques.

He emphasized the significance of early preparations for the Eid Al-Fitr prayer, which include carrying out necessary services such as maintenance and cleaning, to ensure that worshippers can perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind.

The time for Eid prayer in all regions of the Kingdom has been set for 15 minutes after sunrise according to the Umm al-Qura calendar.

Al Al-Sheikh's directive aligns with the ministry's commitment to maintaining, supporting, and caring for all the mosques in the Kingdom, as per the leadership's wise guidance.

Most Viewed

 
 
Varieties

World War II Sergeant Whose Plane Was Shot Down over Germany Honored with Reburial in California

This 1944 photo provided by Honoring Our Fallen shows WWII veteran US Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald V. Banta from Los Angeles. Banta, 21, was killed in action in early 1944 when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Gotha, Germany. On Thursday, July 25, 2024 community members lined the roads to honor Banta as he was brought from Ontario International Airport in southern California to a burial home. (Honoring Our Fallen via AP)
This 1944 photo provided by Honoring Our Fallen shows WWII veteran US Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald V. Banta from Los Angeles. Banta, 21, was killed in action in early 1944 when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Gotha, Germany. On Thursday, July 25, 2024 community members lined the roads to honor Banta as he was brought from Ontario International Airport in southern California to a burial home. (Honoring Our Fallen via AP)
TT
TT

World War II Sergeant Whose Plane Was Shot Down over Germany Honored with Reburial in California

This 1944 photo provided by Honoring Our Fallen shows WWII veteran US Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald V. Banta from Los Angeles. Banta, 21, was killed in action in early 1944 when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Gotha, Germany. On Thursday, July 25, 2024 community members lined the roads to honor Banta as he was brought from Ontario International Airport in southern California to a burial home. (Honoring Our Fallen via AP)
This 1944 photo provided by Honoring Our Fallen shows WWII veteran US Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald V. Banta from Los Angeles. Banta, 21, was killed in action in early 1944 when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Gotha, Germany. On Thursday, July 25, 2024 community members lined the roads to honor Banta as he was brought from Ontario International Airport in southern California to a burial home. (Honoring Our Fallen via AP)

After 80 years, a World War II sergeant killed in Germany has returned home to California.

On Thursday, community members lined the roads to honor US Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald V. Banta as he was brought from Ontario International Airport to a burial home in Riverside, California, The AP reported.

Banta, 21, was killed in action in early 1944 when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Gotha, Germany, according to Honoring Our Fallen, an organization that provides support to families of fallen military and first responders.

One of the surviving crewmembers saw the plane was on fire, then fell in a steep dive before exploding on the ground. After the crash, German troops buried the remains of one soldier at a local cemetery, while the other six crewmembers, including Banta, were unaccounted for.

Banta was married and had four sisters and a brother. He joined the military because of his older brother Floyd Jack Banta, who searched for Donald Banta his whole life but passed away before he was found.

Donald Banta's niece was present at the planeside honors ceremony at the Ontario airport coordinated by Honoring Our Fallen.

The remains from the plane crash were initially recovered in 1952, but they could not be identified at the time and were buried in Belgium. Banta was accounted for Sept. 26, 2023, following efforts by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency within the US Department of Defense and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System.