The UAE has officially announced sighting the crescent moon of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH, marking the start of Eid al-Adha 2025 on June 6.
The Dhu al-Hijjah moon sighting for the year 1446 AH at the UAE Council for Fatwa held a meeting this evening at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The meeting was chaired by scholar Shaykh Abdullah bin Al Shaykh Al-Mahfouz bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE Council for Fatwa, with the attendance of Dr. Omar Habtoor Al-Darei, Vice Chairman of the Council, along with members who are experts in the fields of Islamic jurisprudence, legal studies and astronomy.
During the meeting, the committee reviewed scientific data and precise reports from relevant agencies and institutions regarding astronomical calculations for the birth of the crescent, the occurrence of conjunction and the feasibility of sighting the moon. This included analyzing the results from various national observatories equipped with the latest advanced technologies and smart instruments after sunset on Tuesday.
4-day holiday confirmed
According to legislation passed by theĀ UAE Cabinet, the public and private sectors will observe Arafat Day on Dhu al-Hijjah 9 and Eid al-Adha 2025 from Dhu al-Hijjah 10 to 12, culminating in a total of 4 days off.
With the confirmation of a moon sighting today, Wednesday, May 28, will mark the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah and Eid al-Adha 2025 in the UAE will fall on Friday, June 6, while Arafat Day will take place a day ahead, on June 5.
Therefore, UAE residents will get a 4-day holiday, from Thursday, June 5, until Sunday, June 8, for both the public and private sectors.
Read| Eid al-Adha 2025: Your ultimate guide to festive fashion, gifts, and smart shopping deals
Why is moon-sighting important?
The timing of Eid al-Adha 2025 is determined by the lunar cycle and the sighting of the crescent moon, which signals the start of the new lunar month in the Islamic calendar. In the UAE, the moon-sighting committee is responsible for confirming the sighting of the moon. If the moon is sighted, the following day is declared the first day of the new month, and Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.
The day of Eid al-Adha falls on the tenth day in the final (twelfth) month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar; Dhu al-Hijjah. The day this celebrations fall on is dependent on a legitimate sighting of the moon, following the completion of the annual Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj.
