RIYADH/MUSCAT-The Dhu Al-Hijjah crescent moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, so that today Monday, June 19,2023 marks the beginning of the month.
Eid al-Adha Moon 2023: Officials and observatories in Saudi Arabia, UAE and other Arab states will site the new moon of Dhul Hijjah-that marks the beginning of Eid al Aldha and confirms the date and time of Hajj 2023, on Sunday 29th of Dhul Qadah 1444 AH corresponding to June 18, 2023.(Photo by UMMID).This means Arafat Day will be on Tuesday, June 27, and Eid Al-Adha will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 28.
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court announced on Sunday that today Monday 1/12/1444 AH — according to the Umm Al-Qura calendar-corresponding to the 19th of June, 2023, AD, will be the beginning of the Dhul-Hijjah month.
Pilgrims will flock at the beginning of Monday, June 26, to Mina holy site to spend the day of Tarwiyah (water provision) in pursuit of the Prophetic Sunnah, in preparation to stand in the Arafat holy site, on Tuesday, June 27, which marks the climax of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj.
The Supreme Court had earlier called on all Muslims throughout Saudi Arabia to look out at sunset on Sunday for the crescent moon, which will mark the advent of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja and end of the current month of Dhul-Qada on the 29th.
Oman
The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in Oman has officially declared that Eid Al Adha will commence on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.
The sighting of the crescent of the month of Dhu Al Hijjah for the year 1444 AH has been confirmed, Oman News Agency said on Twitter.
Muslims perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage during the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah which culminates in celebrating Eid Al Adha on the 10th day of Hajj rituals. The Hajj pilgrimage begins on the 8th day of Dhul Hijjah and lasts until the 13th of the month.
Eid Al Adha, or the "Festival of Sacrifice", is one of the most significant Islamic holidays observed by Muslims around the globe. Its name translates to "Festival of the Sacrifice,"reflecting the holiday's central theme.
This festival commemorates the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham in Christianity and Judaism) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. According to the religious narrative, God intervened at the last moment and provided a ram to be sacrificed instead of Ibrahim's son.(SG/GN)