Latest news with #moonSighting
Arabian Business
25-06-2025
- General
- Arabian Business
UAE Ramadan and Eid 2026: Expected dates for Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha announced
Expected dates for Ramadan 2026 in the UAE have been announced by the Emirates Astronomy Society. The Emirates Astronomy Society forecasts Ramadan will begin on February 18, 2026, with Eid Al Fitr likely on March 20 and Eid Al Adha on May 27. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the board of directors of the Emirates Astronomy Society, shared expected dates for holidays and events next year. When is Ramadan 2026 in the UAE? The Emirates Astronomy Society has announced the expected start date for Ramadan 2026 in the UAE as Wednesday, February 18, 2026, based on advanced astronomical calculations. However, official confirmation will be made closer to the time by the UAE's moon-sighting committee, as Islamic months begin and end based on the sighting of the crescent moon. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by millions of Muslims worldwide. It is a period of fasting from dawn to sunset, prayer, spiritual reflection, and charitable giving. The fast is broken each evening with iftar, often beginning with dates and traditional dishes. When is Eid Al Fitr 2026 in the UAE? Ibrahim Al Jarwan said, according to forecasts, Eid Al Fitr 2026 is expected to begin on Friday, March 20, 2026, marking the end of Ramadan. Eid Al Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month that follows Ramadan. Final confirmation will depend on moon sighting. It is traditionally celebrated with morning prayers, family gatherings, and festive meals, and is one of the most anticipated public holidays in the UAE. When is Eid Al Adha 2026 in the UAE? Eid Al Adha 2026 is expected to fall on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, corresponding to the tenth day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar. The Emirates Astronomy Society forecast the following timeline: 1 Dhu Al Hijjah (start of the month): Monday, May 18, 2026 8 Dhu Al Hijjah (start of Hajj): Monday, May 25, 2026 9 Dhu Al Hijjah (Day of Arafah): Tuesday, May 26, 2026 10 Dhu Al Hijjah (Eid Al Adha): Wednesday, May 27, 2026 Eid Al Adha, also known as the 'Festival of Sacrifice', is the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, and a time of prayer, sacrifice, and sharing meals with family and the less fortunate. UAE Islamic Holidays 2026 expected dates Holiday Expected Date Ramadan starts Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Eid Al Fitr Friday, March 20, 2026 Hajj begins Monday, May 25, 2026 Day of Arafah Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Eid Al Adha Wednesday, May 27, 2026 All dates are subject to moon sighting and may shift by one day. Why Do Ramadan and Eid Dates Change Each Year? The Islamic calendar is lunar-based and consists of 12 months and 354 or 355 days — around 10 to 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. This causes Ramadan and Eid dates to shift earlier each year by about 10 days.
UAE Moments
13-06-2025
- UAE Moments
UAE's Predicted Dates for Hijri New Year, Ramadan, and Eid
With the Eid Al Adha break now wrapped up, UAE residents can start looking forward to the next official public holiday: the Islamic New Year, expected to fall on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement! According to astronomical calculations, this date is likely to mark 1 Muharram 1447 AH, the beginning of the new Islamic lunar year. While it's still pending official confirmation from the UAE's moon-sighting committee, the projection gives hope for a one-day midweek break and maybe even a long weekend, depending on government announcements. What Is the Islamic New Year? Also known as Hijri New Year, this day commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's migration (Hijrah) from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. It marks the start of the Islamic calendar. While it's not celebrated with the same scale as Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha, it's still a meaningful date and is observed as a public holiday in the UAE. What's the Next Religious Holiday After That? Following the Islamic New Year, the next significant occasion is Mawlid Al Nabawi, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, which is expected to be observed on Thursday, September 4, 2025. As always, the exact date will depend on the official moon sighting. Islamic Calendar Highlights for 2026 Looking further ahead, the Islamic calendar in 2026 will bring several key religious dates during the cooler months, offering more opportunities for long weekends and spiritual observances: Ramadan 2026 is likely to begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. This sacred month of fasting and reflection shifts earlier every year. Eid Al Fitr 2026, which marks the end of Ramadan, is expected to fall on Friday, March 20, 2026, a potential three-day weekend for many. Eid Al Adha 2026, the most significant of the Islamic holidays, is forecasted to be on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, based on an expected moon sighting on May 17. A Quick Note on Accuracy All these dates are based on astronomical forecasts and may shift depending on the actual sighting of the moon. The UAE government typically confirms public holidays closer to the date, so keep an eye on official announcements. Until then, mark your calendars and get ready for more well-timed breaks in the coming year!
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Eid Al Adha 2025: First countries to announce start of Dhul Hijjah
Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei have announced the first day of Dhul Hijjah. Indonesia will be marking the start of the month on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. This means that Eid Al Adha will be celebrated on Friday, June 6 in the Asian country. Meanwhile, Malaysia will be starting the month on Thursday, May 29, as authorities reported that the moon had not been sighted in the country. This means Eid will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7 in Malaysia. Brunei also didnt spot the moon, meaning that Dhul Hijjah will start on May 29. Therefore, Eid will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7. The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, unlike the Gregorian calendar. So, moon sightings determine when Islamic holidays fall in correlation with the Gregorian dates.
Gulf Business
26-05-2025
- Science
- Gulf Business
Eid Al Adha 2025: Saudi court calls for crescent moon sighting
Image credit: WAM/Website The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called upon Muslims across the country to sight the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah on the evening of Tuesday, 29 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1446 AH (May 27). In a statement, the entity urged anyone who sights the crescent moon—either with the naked eye or through binoculars—to promptly report to the nearest court and submit their testimony, a Read- The court also expressed hope that those capable of moon sighting will join the committees established for this purpose in various regions and participate in this effort, which benefits the Muslim community. The Engineer Mohammad Shawkat Odeh, Director of the Abu Dhabi-based centre, stated 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, according to a WAM report. Based on these astronomical predictions, Wednesday, May 28 is expected to be the first day of Dhul Hijjah, making Friday, June 6 the likely date for the start of Eid Al Adha in most Islamic countries. Eid Al Adha is therefore expected to fall on Friday, June 6, with the Day of Arafah observed on Thursday, June 5, according to dates listed on the UAE government's official website. Residents in the UAE are likely to enjoy a four-day break—comprising June 5 and 6 for Arafah and Eid Al Adha—followed by the regular weekend on June 7 and 8 (Saturday and Sunday).
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Science
- Zawya
Eid Al Adha expected on June 6 in most Islamic countries: IAC
ABU DHABI: The International Astronomical Centre 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 centre, 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, 28th May is expected to be the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah, making Friday, 6th June the likely date for the first day of Eid al-Adha in most Islamic countries.
