DUBAI – “The world is not ending” – this is the message from the DubaiAstronomy Group following a viral video of a US preacher who madesensational claims that the upcoming lunar eclipse is a sign that doomsdayis nearby and that “we’re in our last days”, Khaleej Times has reported.
Paul Begley, a US preacher, made claims in a video on his YouTube channelthat “the UAE will be stunned” as the blood moon will be directly over theMiddle East, including occupied Jerusalem. His views went viral and werepicked up by media worldwide.
Dubai Astronomy Group CEO, Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri, told *Khaleej Times* thatthe event is a “very natural astronomical phenomenon” and that no oneshould fall for superstitions and conspiracy theories. He has invited theresidents to visit the astronomy centre on July 27 to witness the lunareclipse and gain knowledge on the event.This lunar eclipse will be visiblein different parts of the world and will be the longest one that hasoccurred in a century – being visible for one hour and 43 minutes.
Begley said that “with volcanoes erupting, lava flowing and foggy days inHawaii”, the dust storms on Mars, ongoing earthquakes and the blood moonbeing directly over occupied Jerusalem means that a “biblical prophecy isbecoming true”.
“The United Arab Emirates is going to be stunned – they’re already stunnedat what’s coming. The Blood Moon that’s going to be directly over theMiddle East, directly over Jerusalem and tys
Al Hariri debunked Begley’s claims and said that the blood moon has ascientific explanation behind it.”The lunar eclipse Is a geometry of three bodies, which makes the whitebright moon turn blood-red. Now, how does it happen? When the sun, earthand moon are aligned, the shadow of earth falls on the moon and we see whatwe call the lunar eclipse.
“Usually, during the moon eclipse, which we see approximately twice a yearin different places around the world, the moon passes in a short brief oftime from above or below the shadows in partial levels or in fast speeds.But this upcoming lunar eclipse has a uniqueness because it goes from thecentre and this geometry makes the eclipse the longest one to observe in acentury,” he said.
“This time, it’s happening in such a way that almost of all of Asia willobserve it, plus Africa, some parts of Australia and Europe. It’s aninternational phenomenon that we will have. It will be beautiful andvisible for people all around the world.”
Al Hariri insisted that people learn about the astronomical phenomenoninstead of falling for conspiracy theories and superstitions.
“Let me debunk this rumour simply – what does he mean when the world iscoming to an end? How did he reach that conclusion? The moon is roamingaround the earth continuously. So, why only around an eclipse is this goingto happen?
“If the moon and the sun are both on the same sides, then there is a biggerchance that it will affect the tides of the earth. For example, there willbe a higher tide. But when the moon and sun are opposites, they almostequalise the process, so there’s a mid-tide, there’s not even higher tide.It’s a very natural thing. There is nothing to worry about,” Al Hariri said.
“People have a misconception about the eclipse. This lunar eclipse is avery long one, people are being scared. Lots of people have a badperception that it’s a bad thing. These kinds of superstitions surroundthese kinds of phenomenon. We tell everyone that none of this is true, it’sa very natural event that can be observed.”