Saudi Arabia has officially confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH on the evening of Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
With this announcement, the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah—the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar—will commence on Wednesday, May 28. Consequently, Eid-el-Kabir (Eid al-Adha) will be observed in the Kingdom on Friday, June 6, 2025.
The announcement was made via a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Haramain, a Saudi-based Islamic news platform. The post read:
“Wednesday would be the first day of Dhul Hijjah.”
According to Haramain, the Day of Arafat, which falls on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, will be observed on Thursday, June 5, followed by Eid-el-Adha on Friday, June 6.
Dhul Hijjah is significant in Islam as it marks the period of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, and Eid-el-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice—both central pillars of the Islamic faith.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIAN), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, had earlier called on the Muslim Ummah to begin the search for the crescent moon of Zulhijjah on Tuesday, May 27.
This directive was contained in a statement released in Sokoto by Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, and Wazirin Sokoto.
The statement read:
“This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Tuesday, 27th May 2025, which corresponds to the 29th of Zulqa’ida 1446 AH, is the day to look for the new moon of Zulhijjah. Muslims are encouraged to report any sighting to the nearest district head for onward communication to His Eminence, the Sultan.”
Zulhijjah holds immense spiritual significance, being the month in which Hajj is performed and Eid-el-Adha is celebrated—both observed as acts of devotion and submission to Allah.
