The tentative dates for the celebration of Eid al-Adha 2026 have been revealed according to official calendars and astronomical calculations. In Saudi Arabia, the official Umm al-Qura calendar indicates that Eid al-Adha will likely fall on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. This projection is based on the expectation that the current Islamic month of Dhu al-Qi`dah will complete its 30-day cycle. According to the calendar, May 17 will mark the 30th of Dhu al-Qi`dah, meaning the sacred month of Dhu al-Hijjah is expected to begin on May 18.
Following the projected start of Dhu al-Hijjah, the Day of Arafat, which marks the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage, is expected to occur on May 26. Eid al-Adha, celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, would subsequently fall on May 27. Similar predictions have been issued by astronomers in the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan. Scientific calculations in the UAE suggest a high probability of Eid being observed on May 27, while Pakistani experts also point toward the same date for the auspicious occasion.
In the United Kingdom and across Europe, the timing of Eid al-Adha often depends on diverse moon-sighting criteria. Hyphen Online, a leading media platform for Muslim life, has reported that Eid could start on either Wednesday, May 27, or Thursday, May 28, depending on the sighting of the new crescent. While many European Muslim communities align their celebrations with Saudi Arabia`s official declaration, others wait for local sightings or reports from neighboring Muslim-majority countries to finalize their religious observances.
For Bangladesh and other South Asian countries, Eid al-Adha usually takes place one day after the celebrations in the Middle East. Based on this historical pattern, there is a strong possibility that Eid al-Adha will be celebrated in Bangladesh on Thursday, May 28, 2026. However, this remains subject to the sighting of the moon at the end of the month of Dhu al-Qi`dah. If the moon is sighted a day earlier than projected, the celebration could align with the Middle Eastern schedule.
Ultimately, the official start of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah and the final date for Eid al-Adha will be determined by the actual sighting of the crescent moon. In Bangladesh, the National Moon Sighting Committee will hold its traditional meeting to review reports from across the country before making a formal announcement. Eid al-Adha is one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar, commemorating the profound sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) as mentioned in the Quran (37:102). Muslims worldwide observe this day by performing the Qurbani, symbolizing devotion and submission to the will of the Almighty.
