Saudi Arabia confirms dates for Hajj, Eid Al Adha 2023

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Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court announced that Monday, June 19, will mark the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah (Dhul Hijjah), after sighting the new crescent moon in the kingdom on Sunday, June 18.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage will begin on June 26 with Eid Al Adha falling two days later, Saudi Arabia confirmed on Sunday evening.

“Arafat Day will fall on Tuesday June 27, while Wednesday will be the first day of Eid Al Adha,” according to a statement by the Supreme Court, reported Saudi Press Agency.

The crescent moon that signals the start of Islamic month Dhul Hijjah was spotted in Saudi Arabia on Sunday night, therefore the last month in the Islamic Hijri calendar, begins on Monday, June 19.

المحكمة العليا: غداً الاثنين هو غرة شهر ذي الحجة والوقوف بعرفة يوم الثلاثاء الموافق 27 / 6 / 2023م.https://t.co/wOGlj8kzHA#واس_عام pic.twitter.com/1mHzmloU1N

— واس العام (@SPAregions) June 18, 2023

The day of Arafat or Arafah — considered the holiest in Islam — will be on Tuesday, June 27. The first day of Eid Al Adha will hence be marked on Wednesday, June 28.

Eid Al Adha in Oman

The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in Oman has officially declared that Eid Al Adha will commence on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. The sighting of the crescent of the month of Dhu Al Hijjah for the year 1444 AH has been confirmed, Oman News Agency said on Twitter.

The first day of Eid Al Adha (10 Dhul Hijjah 1444 AH) will be on Wednesday, 28 June 2023, confirms the Main Committee for Moon Sighting.

— Oman News Agency (@ONA_eng) June 18, 2023

Eid Al Adha means “festival of the sacrifice”. The holiday commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s gesture to sacrifice his son when asked by God to do so in a dream, as a test of his faith.

Read: UAE announces Eid Al Adha holidays