Middle East Awaits Eid Decision

The date for the observance of Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries is expected to be confirmed on Sunday evening, 17 May, following the sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have already announced that the moon for Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH will be searched for on Sunday evening, corresponding to the 29th day of Dhu al-Qadah.

On Friday, 15 May, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia called upon Muslims across the Kingdom to observe the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah. The court requested that anyone who sights the moon should immediately report the information to the officially designated moon-sighting committees operating throughout the country.

According to a report by Gulf News, Sunday marks the 29th day of Dhu al-Qadah in Saudi Arabia. If the crescent moon is sighted after sunset, Monday, 18 May, will be declared the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah. In that case, Eid al-Adha would fall on 27 May. However, if the moon is not sighted on Sunday evening, the current month will complete 30 days, moving the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah to 19 May and Eid al-Adha to 28 May.

The International Astronomical Centre has also stated that the new moon is expected to be visible in most Islamic countries, including those in the Middle East, on Sunday evening. The organisation said telescopic observation may be possible from parts of East Asia, southern Africa, and southern regions of South America. It further noted that the crescent could potentially be visible to the naked eye across much of Central and Western Asia, North Africa, and large areas of the Americas.

Engineer Mohammad Shawkat Odeh, Director of the International Astronomical Centre, said astronomical calculations indicate that Monday, 18 May, could be the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah. Based on this calculation, Eid al-Adha is likely to be observed on Wednesday, 27 May, in Saudi Arabia and many other Muslim-majority countries.

Earlier, on 13 May, the UAE Fatwa Council also announced that the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah would be sought on Sunday evening.

Expected Timeline

The final date of Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia and several Middle Eastern countries will depend on the official moon-sighting announcements expected later on Sunday evening.