Saudi Arabia announces start dates for Hajj and Eid Al Adha

Hajj pilgrims

The annual Hajj pilgrimage will begin on June 14 with Eid Al Adha falling two days later, Saudi Arabia said.

The announcement by the Saudi Supreme Court came after the crescent moon, which heralds the start of Dhu Al Hijjah, the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar, was sighted on Thursday evening.

It means Dhu Al Hijjah will begin on Friday, allowing for the start dates of both Hajj – which falls on the eighth day of the month – and Eid Al Adha, which commences on its 10th day, to be determined.

Hajj will begin on Friday, June 14, with Arafat Day on the following day. Eid Al Adha celebrations will begin on Sunday, June 16.

The Supreme Court called on Muslims in the kingdom to look for the crescent moon on Thursday evening. An official committee was chosen to try to spot it at sunset.

Dhu Al Hijjah is considered one of the four sacred months for Muslims, called Al Ash-hur Al Hurom. The others months are Rajab (the seventh month), Dhu Al Qaeda (11th) and Muharram (first).

BREAKING | The crescent moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia. Dhul Hijjah 1445 (2024) has commenced. #Hajj #HaramainInfo pic.twitter.com/5HpkNjLTUV

— ???????????????? (@HaramainInfo) June 6, 2024