Eid Al-Adha Moon Sighting 2026: When Will Dhul Hijjah Crescent Be Seen in Saudi Arabia, UAE and India?

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia asked its citizens to search for the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah on the evening of May 17 (Sunday) after namaz-e-maghrib (sunset prayers), which corresponds to the 29th of Dhul Qadah according to the Islamic calendar, which follows the lunar calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) argue people that anyone who sight the crescent moon with the naked eye or using binoculars, report to the nearest court and registers their testimony, or contact the nearest centre for assistance in reaching the nearest court. 

The Supreme Court of KSA statement issued on May 15 ruling No. 206/H dated 29/10/1447H, which declared Saturday, April 18, 2026, as the completion of the month of Shawwal and Sunday, April 19, 2026, as the first day of Dhul Qadah.

Also Read | Bakra Eid 2026 Date: When Is Eid Al-Adha in India, Saudi Arabia and UAE?.

The court said, according to Umm Al-Qura calendar calculations, the 30th will be the official date for sighting the Dhul Hijjah 2026 crescent. 

The sighting of the moon will determine the dates of Eid Al-Adha 2026 2026 or Eid ul-Adha and annual Hajj pilgrimage dates. If the crescent is sighted on May 17, Dhul Hijjah 2026 will start on Monday, May 18, and the Day of Arafat will fall on Tuesday, May 26 and Eid Al Adha will start on Wednesday, May 27. 

If the crescent is not sighted on May 17 (Sunday), Dhu al-Qadah will complete 30 days and Tuesday will be mark the beginning of Dhul Hijjah 1447AH and the Youm-e-Arafat (the day of Arafah) will then be on May 27, and Bakra Eid will be celebrated on Thursday, May 28 in Saudi Arabia.

Astrologers and experts from observatories in Sudair and Tumair will gather on Sunday, May 17, before sunset and after Asar prayers to search for the crescent moon. If the moon is sighted in KSA, other Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan will also decide the Eid date. However, the UAE has already declared Eid holidays, predicting Eid Al-Adha will likely fall on May 27.

Eid Al-Adha 2026 Moon Sighting in India

In the Indian subcontinent, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, Muslims across these countries are expected to celebrate Eid Al-Adha on May 28 and the beginning of Dhul Hijjah on Monday, May 18. However, Eid could be celebrated earlier depending on the sighting of the crescent moon. Chaand and Ruet-e-Hilal committees in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Lucknow will issue an official statement on this.

Meanwhile, department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai invited people to participate in the moon sighting activity at its Jebel Nazwa observatory on Sunday, May 17.