Saudi Arabia Calls on Muslims to Sight the Dhul Hijjah Moon Tonight (Sunday)
The Supreme Court issues an official call for crescent moon sighting across the Kingdom, marking the start of the holiest month of the Islamic year.
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has issued an official call asking all Muslims across the Kingdom to look out for the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah on Sunday evening – a sighting that will formally determine the start of the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and set the date for Hajj and Eid al-Adha.
The moon sighting announcement is a deeply anticipated moment for Muslims worldwide every year. If the crescent is spotted on Sunday evening, Monday will mark the 1st of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH, placing Arafah Day (9 Dhul Hijjah) on Tuesday 26 May 2026 and Eid al-Adha (10 Dhul Hijjah) on Wednersday 27 May 2026.
Anyone who sights the crescent moon with the naked eye or through binoculars is required to report it to the nearest court or official authority so that the testimony can be officially verified and recorded.
This announcement comes as millions of Hajj pilgrims have already arrived in Makkah and Madinah from across the globe, with final preparations at the holy sites now in their last stages ahead of what is expected to be one of the largest Hajj seasons in recent years.
The Supreme Court’s call is followed closely not only within Saudi Arabia but by Muslim communities and religious authorities around the world, as many countries align their Eid and Hajj dates with the Saudi moon sighting announcement.