When is Arafat Day and Eid al Adha in Saudi Arabia?

For those counting the days until the next public holiday, there’s good news: a significant break, which could last upto five days, is just weeks away in Saudi Arabia.

When is Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha 2024 in Saudi Arabia?

The much-anticipated break is just over three weeks away.

Arafat Day, marking the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage, is expected to fall around Saturday, June 15, or Sunday, June 16. The exact date will be confirmed closer to the time by a moon sighting committee. The Saudi Arabia moon sighting committee is headed by astronomer, Abdullah al-Khudairy, the Director of the observatory of Majmaah University in Hautat Sudair.

Arafat Day: Significance and Observance

Arafat Day falls on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhuʻl-Hijjah. It is a pivotal day during the Hajj pilgrimage, with pilgrims flocking to Mount Arafat near Mecca to offer prayers. The event is significant for Muslims worldwide as it precedes Eid Al Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice.”

Eid Al Adha: Celebration and holiday duration

Following Arafat Day, Muslims globally will celebrate Eid Al Adha, expected to start on the evening of Sunday, June 16, or Monday, June 17.

The holiday, which commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God, typically lasts for three days from the 10th to the 12th of the Islamic month of Dhuʻl-Hijjah.

Public holiday: Possible duration and dates

• June 15 or 16 – Day of Arafat: Depending on the sighting of the Moon, Arafat Day will be observed around June 15 or 16, marking the start of the Eid holiday period.
• June 16 or 17 – Eid Al Adha: The public holiday for Eid Al Adha could start on Sunday, June 16, or Monday, June 17. If Arafat Day is on June 15, the break might span five days, as the weekend in Saudi Arabia is Friday and Saturday.

Astronomers’ predictions and official confirmations

Astronomers predict that Arafat Day will likely be on Saturday, June 15, 2024, initiating the religious holiday from that evening.

Eid Al Adha celebrations would then commence from Sunday, June 16, potentially providing a three-day public holiday in Saudi Arabia.

Hence, Hajj 2024 is expected to conclude on Wednesday, June 19, aligning with the end of Eid Al Adha.

Hajj and Eid Al Adha: Importance and observance

Hajj, a week-long mandatory pilgrimage, culminates with Eid Al Adha. This pilgrimage is crucial for Muslims as it is one of the five pillars of Islam. The pilgrimage sees millions of Muslims from around the world gathering in Mecca for spiritual and physical rejuvenation.

While the dates are tentatively set, final confirmation will come from the official moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia.

These holidays offer a significant break for residents, with the potential for extended time off depending on the final announcement. Keep an eye on official announcements for the most accurate information.

Read: Eid Al Adha 2024: When is the next public holiday?