The diamond ring effect is pictured during the solar eclipse

LUANDA, December 4 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – Countries in the southern hemisphere witnessed a solar eclipse on Wednesday, December 4.

In Angola, the sun rose but did not shine Wednesday morning, day of the second solar eclipse of the millennium in the southern hemisphere, as the moon crossed in front of the sun shortly after dawn.

“I thought my watch was broken, because I couldn’t tell what time it was,” said Yolanda Teresa, a 28-year-old civil servant.

Angola’s capital, Luanda, only experienced a partial eclipse, with the total eclipse passing over southern provinces. But at 6:00 am (0500 GMT), when the sun is normally rising, the city was still dark.

Eclipse watching didn’t generate much excitement here, because of the early hour and because last year's total eclipse also crossed over Angola.

Special viewing glasses, which block out the sun’s harmful rays and protect the eyes of eclipse-watchers, were neither distributed by the government nor sold by travel agencies in Luanda.

“Despite the danger, the precautions taken this year were more lax than last year in Luanda, because the eclipse arrived so early, around 5:54 am in Luanda,” the scientific commission said in a report.

In Australia, some cheered in celebration, others gasped in wonder as clouds cleared just in time to reveal the total solar eclipse.

Tens of thousands of amateur sky gazers and professional eclipse chasers watched as the moon crept across the sun to turn day into night in one of nature's most astonishing spectacles.

The total eclipse lasted just 32 seconds, but for the more than 20,000 people who gathered in this remote coastal town despite forecasts that cloudy skies would likely hide the show, it was well worth the visit.

“Absolutely fantastic” stammered one man after the rush of photo-taking and just plain staring was over.

Eclipse-watchers saw the heart of darkness over South Africa’s Kruger National Park on Wednesday, but the local Venda people bowed their heads - forbidden by their god to watch.

Heavy cloud obscured the spectacle, but for the thousands of visitors to the world’s largest wildlife park this was a bonus: they were able to dispense with their special viewing glasses and watch the moon inch over the sun with the naked eye.

The Venda believe that their god, N’wali, visits Earth during an eclipse, and that if they witness it they will be struck by lightning and burnt to ashes, and many other tribes in Africa see eclipses as portents of death, famine and pestilence.

Mozambique’s government declared Wednesday a national holiday to allow people to watch the eclipse of the sun that will sweep across the southern part of the country, the Council of Ministers said in a statement Tuesday.

“This is to allow the nation the opportunity to observe one of the rarest, most spectacular natural phenomena, the second total eclipse of the sun of the millennium,” the statement said.

Last year’s total eclipse also passed over Mozambique, but then the moon’s shadow swept across central regions.

The government warned people not to look at the sky with the naked eye from 5:30 am to noon to prevent eye damage from the sun’s rays.

The council also asked the media, and especially community radio stations which are the main source of information in rural areas, to explain that eclipse is a natural occurrence and not an omen of looming harm.

The government encouraged people to celebrate the eclipse, but to refrain from acts of vandalism.

Few Mozambicans can afford the protective glasses needed to view the eclipse safely. During the eclipse last year, most Mozambicans stayed indoors for fear of damaging their eyes.

Total solar eclipses occur when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun, completely obscuring the solar disk. The eclipse follows a West-to-East track that lasts several hours until the alignment ends.

Total eclipses happen about once every 18 months, although at least two partial or annular eclipses occur somewhere on Earth each year. Most eclipses occur over the sea or over largely uninhabited areas. The great total eclipse of August 11 1999 was exceptional because it traversed such a populous area, from western Europe to India.

Southern Africa is remarkably lucky: it also enjoyed the last full eclipse, of June 21 2001. With the exception of a handful of scientists, the next total solar eclipse may not be seen by anyone - it will take place over Antarctica, on November 23, 2003. Australia and New Zealand will see it as a partial eclipse.

In Islam, Muslims believe that Allah causes eclipses to happen to these two mighty signs, the sun and the moon, to teach people and show them that these things are created and are subject to imperfections and changes just like any other created entities. Thus He shows them His perfect ability and that He Alone is the Only One Who deserves Worship.

When the sun was eclipsed at the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), he went out rushing nervously to the mosque, dragging his cloak behind him, and led the people in prayer.

He told them that the eclipse was one of the signs of Allah, with which Allah makes people afraid, and that it may be the cause of punishment coming upon the people.

He (the Prophet) commanded them to do that which could prevent the punishment, so he commanded them to pray when an eclipse happens, and to make du’aa, seek Allah's Forgiveness, give charity, and do other righteous deeds so that the punishment would go away and not befall the people. So the eclipse is a reminder to people to hasten to Allah, the Creator of the world.

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