As Muslims around the world await the official date of Eid al-Adha 2025, the UAE has called on specialists, experts, traditional moon-sighters, and members of the public—both citizens and residents—to observe the crescent of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH after sunset today, Tuesday, 29 Dhul-Qa’dah, corresponding to May 27, 2025.
The Dhu al-Hijjah moon sighting for the year 1446 AH at the UAE Council for Fatwa will hold its meeting this evening at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The meeting is held in line with the committee’s national duties and responsibilities.
How does the UAE sight the crescent moon?
The meeting will be 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 will review 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 includes analysing the results from various national observatories equipped with the latest advanced technologies and smart instruments after sunset on Tuesday.
Will the moon be visible?
Earlier this week, the International Astronomical Center announced that the crescent moon marking the start of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH will be observed on Tuesday, 27th May, across the Islamic world.
Engineer Mohammad Shawkat Odeh, director of the Abu Dhabi-based center, said that moon sighting will be possible with telescopes from parts of Central and Western Asia, as well as most of Africa and Europe. Additionally, it may be visible to the naked eye in large areas of the Americas.
Based on these astronomical predictions, Wednesday, May 28 is expected to be the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah, making Friday, June 6 the likely date for the first day of Eid al-Adha 2025 in most Islamic countries.
Read| Eid al-Adha 2025: Holiday dates announced in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait & Oman
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 Emirates Astronomy Society says the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah is expected to be visible on May 27. If the crescent moon is sighted, Wednesday, May 28, will mark the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah. In this case, Eid al-Adha 2025 in the UAE will fall on Friday, June 6, and Arafat Day will take place a day ahead, on June 5.
Noting that UAE residents get a 4-day holiday, a moon sighting on May 27 means that the holiday would extend from Thursday, June 5, until Sunday, June 8, for both the public and private sectors.
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.
