Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting highlights: Dhul Hijjah crescent sighted in Saudi Arabia, Hajj and Bakrid dates announced

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: The Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, alongside the Australian Fatwa Council, has officially announced the local dates for Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH and Eid-ul-Adha 2025.

Following the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s declaration that Wednesday, 28 May 2025 marks the first day of Dhul Hijjah, the following dates have been confirmed for Australia:

• Thursday, 5 June 2025 – Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah)
• Friday, 6 June 2025 – Eid Al-Adha (10th Dhul Hijjah)

These dates align with the Saudi calendar, in recognition of Makkah and Madinah’s central role in the Hajj pilgrimage and the global Islamic calendar.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: The UAE has announced that Wednesday, May 28, 2025 marks the beginning of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH, following the successful sighting of the crescent moon on Tuesday evening. Eid ul-Adha will be celebrated in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other cities of the Emirates on Friday, June 06, 2025, in line with Islamic tradition, as the festival always falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah.

Arafat Day will be observed the day before i.e. on Thursday, June 05, 2025. Earlier, the Al Khatm Astronomical Observatory in the Abu Dhabi desert captured the earliest images of the crescent on May 27, with photos taken at 7:05 am, 11:00 am and 3:15 am UAE time.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Astronomers in Tamir observatory of Saudi Arabia sight the Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH crescent moon, confirming that next Friday i.e. June 06, 2025 will be Eid-ul-Adha.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Oman has officially sighted the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH, confirming the start of the sacred season. As per Royal Decree No. 88/2022, the Eid-ul-Adha or Eid-ul-Azha (also known as Bakra Eid, Bakrid, Bakhreid, Eid-ul-Zuha, Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban, Qurban Bayarami or the Feast of Sacrifice) holiday will span from the 9th to the 12th of Dhul Hijjah, which translates to a much-welcomed break from Thursday, June 05 to Sunday, June 08, 2025.

However, here is the cherry on top: since the first day of Eid-ul-Adha falls on a Friday (June 06), an extra compensatory day has been added. That means Monday, June 09, 2025 will also be a public holiday, giving both public and private sector employees an enviable five-day weekend.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: The wait is over as Southeast Asia has begun announcing official dates for Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH and Eid-ul-Adha 2025 and while most are aligned, there is a slight regional variation that travellers and observers alike may want to note.

• Indonesia has announced that Wednesday, May 28, 2025 will be the first day of Dhul Hijjah and Eid-ul-Adha will be observed on Friday, June 06, 2025.
• Malaysia and the Sultanate of Brunei have confirmed that the crescent moon was not sighted, making Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the last day of Dhul Qadah. Consequently, Thursday, May 29 will be the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH and Eid-ul-Adha will be observed on Saturday, June 07, 2025.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: As the sacred days of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH approach, nature seems to be playing its own part in the anticipation. Persistent dusty weather sweeping across Saudi Arabia is casting a literal haze over moon sighting efforts, making it tricky to spot the delicate crescent that signals the beginning of the holy month.

With visibility significantly reduced due to airborne dust particles, astronomers and religious authorities alike are facing challenges in confirming the moon sighting that determines the timing of two of Islam’s most significant days — Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha. While the atmosphere remains thick with sand and suspense, observers are keeping their eyes on the skies as they await the crescent or new moon.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: In a remarkable celestial moment, the Al Khatm Astronomical Observatory in the UAE photographed the crescent moon marking the end of Dhul Qadah 1446 AH in full daylight on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Snapped at exactly 11:40am UAE time, the moon was positioned just 12 degrees away from the sun and barely 18 hours old. Even more extraordinary? The lunar conjunction (when the moon and sun align) had not even occurred yet, making this one of the rarest and most scientifically valuable sightings of its kind.

Early and precise lunar observations like this one play a key role in fine-tuning moon sighting models that determine the start of important Islamic months, especially Dhul Hijjah, which ushers in the sacred Hajj pilgrimage and the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha.

In a world where tradition and technology often walk hand in hand, this sighting is a perfect example of how astronomy continues to support age-old spiritual rhythms with pinpoint precision. Mark your calendars: Eid-ul-Adha is on the horizon and the sky just confirmed it in style.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: For those intending to offer a Qurbani (sacrificial animal), there is a lesser-known but important practice to observe: abstaining from personal grooming.

If you are planning to perform the sacrifice this Eid-ul-Adha, once the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah is sighted, it is recommended (and according to many scholars, obligatory) to refrain from trimming your nails, cutting your hair or removing any part of your skin until the sacrifice has been completed. This pause in grooming is not a random restriction.

It is deeply rooted in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who said:

“When you see the new moon of Dhul Hijjah, and one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, let him refrain from removing anything from his hair or nails.” — Sahih Muslim.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: This year, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has issued a call to all Muslims in the Kingdom to observe the sky on the 29th of Dhul Qadah i.e. Tuesday, May 27, 2025. If the crescent moon is sighted on the evening of May 27, 2025, the holy month of Dhul Hijjah will begin on Wednesday, May 28, setting the stage for Hajj from June 04 to June 09 and Eid-ul-Adha on Friday, June 06, 2025.

If not, the lunar calendar will shift a day later, pushing the Hajj to take place from June 05 to June 10 and Eid-ul-Adha to be accordingly marked on Saturday, June 07, 2025. This is because the 8th day of the month of Dhul Hijjah marks the beginning of the five days of sacred Hajj rituals rooted in the lives of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) AS and Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Pilgrims spend the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah on the vast plains of Arafat in deep prayer and reflection. It is a day often considered the most pivotal of the entire pilgrimage while the following day marks Eid-ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, celebrated around the world by Muslims with prayers, charity and the symbolic Qurbani (sacrifice of livestock).

However, the official dates are subject to the crescent moon sighting by Saudi Arabian authorities.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: The official Eid-ul-Adha holidays in Bangladesh will begin on June 05 and stretch all the way to June 14, thanks to a cabinet decision confirmed during a meeting on May 06, 2025. Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, took to his verified Facebook page to share the news, writing:

“There will be a 10-day Eid-ul-Adha holiday, according to a Cabinet decision. Offices will be open on Saturdays on May 17 and May 24.”

To make up for the extended break, government offices will remain open on two designated Saturdays in May — a small trade-off for such a luxurious holiday span. The 10-day vacation applies to government offices only. Banks and private sector companies will observe their own schedules, with financial institutions adhering to the Bank Company Act 1991 and private employers deciding based on internal policies.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) has announced via its official social media platforms that an official statement regarding the start of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH will be released soon, pending confirmation from the Saudi Arabia crescent sighting.

In the meantime, ANIC urges the community to disregard any announcements from unofficial sources and to rely solely on updates published through their verified social media channels and official website for accurate information.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: As the anticipation for Eid-ul-Adha 2025 builds, UAE residents are being encouraged by the Fatwa Council to take part in the traditional moon sighting process. Citizens can report sightings to the Crescent Sighting Committee by calling 027774647 or submitting a report through an online form - https://forms.office.com/r/2NMuJDytiU.

Every year, the UAE Moon Sighting Committee gathers after Maghrib prayers at sunset to search for the crescent moon that marks the beginning of Dhul Hijjah, using a blend of Islamic tradition and modern technology. High-powered telescopes are part of the effort but this year, the country is taking things even further.

Earlier this year, the UAE made headlines by deploying over 100 drones to track the crescent moon for Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. The drones, flown over the Al Khatim area, created a visual grid around the moon’s expected position, while a specially equipped drone captured a direct image of the crescent.

This high-tech approach is now part of a wider strategy that integrates Shariah and scientific committees, computerised astronomical data, ground-based observation decks and individual witness reports. The project is backed by the International Astronomical Center under the guidance of the UAE Fatwa Council.

Moon sighting efforts take place at multiple locations across the Emirates, combining faith and innovation in a shared national effort to mark the beginning of one of Islam’s holiest observances.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: If a public holiday like Eid coincides with the weekend, UAE Labour Law doesn't mandate a compensatory day off, as per Article 29 of the Labour Law. However, if you are required to work on a public holiday, your employer must provide either:

• A compensatory day off, or
• Your full salary plus at least 50% of your basic wage for that day.

So, while a long weekend is not guaranteed, fair compensation for working on a holiday is.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: The Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) has confirmed a six-day holiday in celebration of Eid-ul-Adha 2025. The markets will remain closed from Thursday, June 05, through Tuesday, June 10, 2025 offering stock market employees an extended festive break.

Trading is set to resume on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Official public sector holiday announcements are expected to follow shortly, as the Kingdom prepares for the upcoming Bakrid celebrations.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: In Pakistan, leading astronomers suggest that Eid-ul-Adha is expected to fall on Saturday, June 07, this year. According to Dr Faheem Hashmi, a well-known astronomer, the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH is unlikely to be sighted on May 27, as it will be only 11 hours old — far too young to be visible to the naked eye.

Instead, moon sighting is more likely on May 28, 2025, setting the stage for May 29 to mark the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH and Eid-ul-Adha to be celebrated 10 days later i.e. June 07, in accordance with the Islamic calendar. For many, this marks the beginning of spiritual reflection, festive preparation and travel planning for the sacred days ahead.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: According to Dr Subaih bin Rahman Al Saadi, a leading Omani expert in celestial sciences, the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH is expected to be sighted in Oman on the evening of Tuesday, May 27. His calculations show that the moon will set 36 minutes after sunset in Muscat, appearing 8 degrees from the sun and 7 degrees above the western horizon — ideal conditions for a confirmed sighting.

This sighting means that Wednesday, May 28, may mark the first day of Dhul Hijjah, placing Arafah Day on Thursday, June 05, followed by Eid-ul-Adha on Friday, June 06, 2025.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Based on astronomical projections shared by the Al Ojairi Scientific Center, a press release revealed that the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic lunar calendar, will be born in Kuwait at dawn on May 27 and visible after sunset on May 28 for approximately 43 minutes across Kuwait’s skies.

This celestial event signals the countdown to Eid-ul-Adha and aligns with broader visibility predictions across the Arab and Islamic world, where the crescent is expected to be visible for 40 to 58 minutes in various capitals. With this in mind, Arafat Day, the holiest day in the Hajj pilgrimage, is forecasted for Thursday, June 05, 2025 followed by Eid-ul-Adha celebrations the next day.

Eid-ul-Adha 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Based on early astronomical calculations, Friday, June 06, 2025, is expected to mark the Eid-ul-Adha festive day in the UAE, giving residents a long weekend to celebrate with loved ones. According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, is likely to be the first day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and last month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

While astronomers have forecast these tentative dates, the official confirmation of Eid-ul-Adha will depend on the UAE Moon-sighting committee, which observes the crescent moon to mark the beginning of Dhul Hijjah. The moon is expected to appear on the evening of Tuesday, May 27, 2025, though it may be difficult to spot with the naked eye, but the crescent will reportedly be visible for 38 minutes after sunset, according to Ibrahim Al Jarwan.

As dusk falls on Tuesday evening, millions of eyes across Saudi Arabia will scan the horizon in search of a slender crescent moon. The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has issued a call to all Muslims in the Kingdom to observe the sky on the 29th of Dhul Qadah.

If the crescent moon is sighted, the holy month of Dhul Hijjah will begin on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 setting the stage for Eid-ul-Adha on Friday, June 06. If not, the lunar calendar will shift a day later, pushing Eid-ul-Adha to Saturday, June 7.

Citizens are encouraged to report any sightings to the nearest court, keeping alive a beautiful practice of community participation in sacred timekeeping.