The UAE has officially announced that Wednesday, 28 May marks the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, following the sighting of the crescent moon. This means that the first day of Eid Al-Adha will be on Friday, 6 June. The official sighting was confirmed by the Presidential Court on Tuesday, 27 May.
As per tradition, Arafat Day, the holiest day of the Hajj pilgrimage, will be observed on Thursday, 5 June, with Eid Al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, commencing the next day. Residents could therefore enjoy a four-day break, from Thursday to Sunday.
Eid Al-Adha is one of the most significant Islamic holidays, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s (PBUH) act of devotion and sacrifice. It also marks the culmination of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah.
Eid dates move every year because the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, meaning it is ten to twelve days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. As a result, Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr fall on different dates each year.