Saudi Arabia and other nations across the Middle East are scheduled to convene official moon-sighting committees on Sunday evening, May 17, 2026, to determine the start of the holy month of Dhul Hijjah. The Saudi Supreme Court previously issued a public directive urging citizens to participate in the search for the crescent moon marking the year 1447 AH. If the crescent is successfully observed on Sunday night, the month will begin on Monday, scheduling the celebration of Eid al Adha Saudi Arabia for May 27, 2026. International media updates emphasize that the timing of major regional holidays remains completely reliant on these local observations.
A failure to sight the moon tonight will defer the major Islamic festival by one day.
Projections released by the International Astronomical Center indicate a high probability of the crescent being visible across most Islamic nations on Sunday. Experts suggest that the moon may be observed via specialized telescopes in East Asia, South Africa, and southern South America, while remaining visible to the naked eye across Central Asia, North Africa, and the Americas. Based on these mathematical parameters, the standard projection places the first day of Dhul Hijjah on Monday, May 18. Consequently, the astronomical body expects the official celebration of Eid al Adha to fall on Wednesday, May 27, for the majority of the Muslim world.
The regional updates follow an announcement from the United Arab Emirates Fatwa Council, which also confirmed its synchronized moon-sighting protocols for Sunday evening. The tracking of the lunar calendar is critically important as it dictates the synchronized timeline for both the annual Hajj pilgrimage and the subsequent sacrificial feast. The Saudi Supreme Court requested that any individual who spots the crescent immediately report their observation to the nearest judicial registry or local tracking center.
According to established Islamic traditions, the continuous rituals culminate on the ninth day of the month with Arafat Day, followed immediately by Eid al Adha on the tenth day. Millions of global pilgrims are already gathering in Mecca to prepare for the sacred pilgrimage journeys. An official declaration from the Saudi religious authorities is expected later tonight.
