Eid Al-Adha 2026 Moon Sighting Timings: When Will Dhul Hijjah Moon Be Seen In UAE, Saudi Arabia & India

Muslims across several countries are preparing for the Dhul Hijjah moon sighting on 17 May, a key step that will fix the dates of Eid Al-Adha 2026 and also confirm the schedule for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage under the Islamic lunar calendar. The new crescent will mark the start of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth Islamic month. Core Hajj rites take place during this month, and Eid Al-Adha falls on the 10th day, so the confirmed sighting will set both Arafat Day and Eid for millions of worshippers worldwide.

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Dhul Hijjah moon sighting and possible Eid Al-Adha 2026 dates in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, the Dhul Hijjah moon sighting is planned for Sunday, which matches 29 Dhu al-Qadah 1447 AH. If observers notice the crescent on 17 May, Dhul Hijjah will start on Monday, Arafat Day will be on 27 May, and Eid Al-Adha will also be marked on 27 May.

If no crescent is confirmed over Saudi skies on that evening, Dhu al-Qadah will be extended to 30 days. In that case, Dhul Hijjah will open on Tuesday instead, moving Arafat Day to 27 May and shifting Eid Al-Adha observance in the Kingdom to 28 May.

Dhul Hijjah moon sighting appeals, observatories and Gulf holiday plans

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has renewed its request for public help with the Dhul Hijjah moon sighting. The Saudi Royal Court notice urged "... anyone seeing the Moon by the naked eye or the telescope to notify the nearest court and register a testimony or contact the nearest center to help him reach the nearest court."

Authorities in the Kingdom usually depend on dedicated observatories in Sudair and Tumair to check and confirm the crescent. Gulf states such as United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan regularly follow the Saudi confirmation, and several of these countries have already outlined provisional Eid Al-Adha holidays based on a likely 27 May festival date.

Dhul Hijjah moon sighting in India and regional subcontinent plans for Eid Al-Adha 2026

Muslims in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are expected to watch for the Dhul Hijjah moon on Sunday, following the same lunar pattern used across the Indian subcontinent. Local clerical bodies will coordinate the viewing efforts in each country while keeping an eye on sky conditions.

If the moon is visible in India on 17 May, Dhul Hijjah will begin on 18 May and Bakrid, or Eid-Ul-Adha, is then likely to fall on 27 May. Cloud cover or poor visibility could delay confirmation, which may move the Eid observance to 28 May, with regional Ruet-e-Hilal committees in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Lucknow expected to release official decisions.

In the UAE, Khaleej Times reported that Dubai’s Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities has called residents to a public Dhul Hijjah moon sighting event at Jebel Nazwa on 17 May. The programme is meant to explain both traditional observation practices and modern scientific tools used to confirm Islamic lunar months, while the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology forecasts Arafat Day on 26 May and the first day of Eid Al-Adha on 27 May in the country.