Crescent Moon Sighted: Eid ul Adha in Saudi Arabia on June 16, 2024

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who is the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, issued a directive that stated, “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that June 6, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Dhul-Qidah 1445 AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH. Muslims are, therefore, requested to start looking for the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah on Thursday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan.”

The main moonsighting committee of Oman held a meeting on Thursday evening, June 06, 2024, at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs to receive reports about the moon sighting for the month of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH. The meeting is chaired by Dr. Mohammed Said Al Ma’amari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs.

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Pakistan has scheduled a Friday meeting at the Pakistan Meteorological Department building in Karachi to sight the crescent or new moon of Dhul Hijjah 1445 AH. Simultaneously, zonal meetings will occurin other provincial capitals of Pakistan, including Islamabad, on June 07, 2024, starting 30 minutes before the maghrib namaz or evening prayer.

Moon sighting teams across Saudi Arabia reach the observatories in multiple cities to search for the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1445 AH but the prominent observations are underway in Sudair and Tumair observatories and results from these two cities are watched closely as the Supreme Court mostly finalises decisions from these two.

As per the Islamic or lunar calendar, June 06, 2024 marks the 29th of Dhul Qadah (the month before Dhul Hijjah) in Saudia Arabia, USA, UAE, UK, Canada and some other Arab and West countries hence, as per the tradition, Muslims there will be gearing up to sight the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon to determine the date for the upcoming festival of Eid ul Adha.

Traditionally, Muslim communities rely on eyewitness testimonies from reliable sources to confirm the sighting of the new moon where local religious authorities or committees often oversee the process and skilled observers are appointed to look for the crescent moon shortly after sunset on the 29th day of the preceding Islamic month. If the moon is sighted and confirmed by these individuals, the announcement of the onset of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah (the twelfth or last month of the Islamic or lunar calendar) is announced and simultaneously, the date of Eid-ul-Adha is declared.

However, if the moon is not sighted, the month of Dhul Hijjah is extended by a day and the moon sighting process is repeated on the following evening after maghrib prayers. In recent years, advancements in technology have facilitated the moon sighting process and many Muslims now use astronomical calculations and scientific data to predict the visibility of the moon accurately.

This approach combines traditional practices with scientific knowledge to determine the start of the Islamic month but it is important to note that different regions or communities may follow different methods and criteria for moon sighting. Some rely solely on local sightings while others consider global sightings or rely on official announcements from designated authorities however, the goal is to ensure the unity and consensus within the Muslim community regarding the start of important Islamic events such as Eid-ul-Adha.

The Day of Arafah holds significant religious and spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide and on this day, pilgrims who are performing Hajj gather at the plain of Arafat, near the holy city of Mecca, while those not on Hajj engage in specific rituals and acts of worship. Here are some of the rituals associated with the Day of Arafah – fasting, supplication and dhikr i.e. continuous supplication (du’a) and remembrance of Allah (dhikr), acts of worship at local mosques or homes, giving charity, reflection and repentance, celebration and gratitude to Allah for the blessings of faith, health, family and the opportunity to worship.

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called on all Muslims across the Kingdom to participate in the tradition of sighting the crescent or new moon after the maghrib namaz or evening prayers on Thursday, June 06, 2024. As per the courts orders, Muslims are requested to register their testimony or contact the nearest centre to help him reach the nearest court if they sight the crescent moon with their naked eye or through binoculars.

It is often assumed that Eid ul Adha falls a day after Hajj however, it is not true. Also, this has never been the norm followed by Muslims all over the world. After the first day of Dhul Hijjah is established, then the tenth of that month is calculated hence, the date of Eid ul Adha is different for different places. On a more elaborate note, Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, takes place from the 8th to the 12th of Dhul Hijjah where on 8th Dhul Hijjah (Yawm at-Tarwiyah), pilgrims begin their Hajj rituals; on 9th Dhul Hijjah (Yawm Arafat), the most significant day of Hajj, pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat to pray and seek forgiveness while on the day of Eid ul Adha i.e. 10th Dhul Hijjah (Yawm an-Nahr), pilgrims perform the ritual of animal sacrifice (Qurbani) to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. Allah provided a ram to sacrifice instead. Finally, Hajj ends on 12th Dhul Hijjah.

Muslims in India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, Sultanate of Brunei and other South Asian nations will gear up to sight the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah on June 07, 2024 and if it is sighted, Eid-ul-Adha in these countries will be celebrated on June 17, 2024 otherwise on June 18, 2024. This is because the beginning of the Islamic month of Dhu Al-Hijjah marks the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, one of Islam’s five pillars, and is followed by Eid Al Adha on the tenth day.

If the crescent moon is not spotted in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, other Arab states, UK, US, Canada etc after maghrib prayers on Wednesday June 06, 2024, then the first day of the holy month of Dhul Hijjah will be marked on Friday June 08, 2024 and Eid al Adha 2024 celebrations will commence in these nations on June 17 (Dhul Hijjah 10) while Arafah Day will be on June 16 (Dhul Hijjah 9).

This year, Muslims in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and other Arab states along with UK, US and Canada will look for the Eid-ul-Adha crescent moon on the evening of 29th of Hijri calendar month Dhul Qa’adah (the month before Dhul Hijjah), which is Wednesday, June 06, 2024. If spotted, the month of Dhul Hijjah will begin the next day i.e. June 07, 2024 and Bakhreid celebrations in these countries will commence on June 16, 2024 (Dhul Hijjah 10) while the Day of Arafat – the key ritual of Hajj – will be observed on Tuesday June June 15 (Dhul Hijjah 9).