Moon sighting for Eid-ul-adha 2025: When to watch in India, UAE, and Saudi Arabia
As Muslims around the world prepare for one of the most significant festivals in Islam, Eid-ul-Adha, the sighting of the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah becomes a central focus. Known as the 'Festival of Sacrifice' or Bakri-Eid, Eid-ul-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command and is observed on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
This year, moon sighting has already occurred in many countries, and this marks the opening of the Dhul Hijjah month and determines the Eid celebration dates. The Eid day is, however, dependent on the visibility of the moon in each country.
Saudi Arabia confirms Eid date
As per a report by Al Arabiya English and Gulf News, the moon was visible in Saudi Arabia on the night of Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Consequently, Dhul Hijjah started on Wednesday, May 28.
Hence, the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah) will be marked on Thursday, June 5, and Eid-ul-Adha will be commemorated on Friday, June 6, 2025, in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia bases its lunar calendar on actual moon sightings, and the decrees it issues tend to affect most other nations in the region.
UAE follows Saudi Arabia
In the UAE as well, the crescent moon was sighted on the same evening by the moon-sighting committee. According to the Gulf News report, Eid al-Adha will also be on Friday, June 6, 2025, in the UAE.
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In the UAE, public holidays are traditionally followed according to Saudi Arabia, and announcements come out promptly after moon sightings.
Eid date in India depends on local moon sighting
In India, moon sighting is conventionally done locally. Usually, Indian Muslims sight the Dhul Hijjah crescent a day later than Saudi Arabia because of geographical variations. And so, an attempt at moon sighting will be made on the night of Wednesday, May 28, 2025. If spotted, Dhul Hijjah will start on May 29, and Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
But if the crescent is not visible, the month of Dhul Qadah will have 30 days, and Eid will be celebrated on Sunday, June 8, instead, as per reports.
Moon sighting is a fundamental aspect of the Islamic calendar. The visibility of the crescent moon announces the start and end of Islamic months. This ancient practice has religious importance and is a community event in most Muslim countries. Due to geographical positions and time zones, the dates of Islamic celebrations such as Eid would be different from one country to another.
With the moon sighting confirmed in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the preparations for Eid-ul-Adha are at full throttle. The people start buying sacrificial animals, making traditional food, and arranging community prayers. In India, the news will be officially announced after a local sighting on May 28; hence, Muslims all over the subcontinent are requested to keep themselves informed with announcements made by their respective regional moon sighting committees.
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