Saudi Arabia has declared Tuesday, May 26, as the Day of Arafat and Wednesday, May 27, as Eid-al-Adha celebration day following the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon.
The announcement was made by the Saudi Supreme Court after the official sighting of the moon on Sunday.
In a statement, the court said Monday, May 18, would mark the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH.
According to the statement, the Crescent Sighting Department of the Supreme Court “reached the decision after reviewing testimonies submitted by witnesses regarding the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent.”
The court also prayed for King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their services to pilgrims visiting the holy sites.
It further “prayed for Allah to grant pilgrims ease and comfort in the performance of Hajj rites, and to preserve the security, stability, and prosperity of Saudi Arabia.”
Haramain Info, the official account of the two holy mosques in Saudi Arabia, also confirmed the development on X.
It wrote: “The crescent moon for Dhul Hijjah 1447 has been sighted in Saudi Arabia.
“Subsequently, the blessed month of Dhul Hijjah will commence tonight, and ‘Eid al-Adha will be observed on Wednesday 27th May 2026, in shā Allāh. May Allāh grant the hujjāj a safe.”
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, also declared Monday, May 18, as the first day of Dhul Hijjah in Nigeria.
Dhul Hijjah is the final month of the Islamic calendar and one of the holiest periods in Islam.
The month features the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the Day of Arafah and Eid-al-Adha celebrations observed by Muslims worldwide.
