UAE astronomers unveil expected date of Eid ul Adha

Just a week after Eid ul Fitr, astronomers from the United Arab Emirates have unveiled the expected date of Eid ul Adha, stating that the crescent of the last Islamic month is anticipated to be sighted in the final days of May.

The prediction, made by the Emirates Astronomy Society, states that the crescent of Eid ul Adha is expected to be seen on the evening of May 27, which would mean that May 28 would be the first day of the Islamic month.

Astronomers believe that if the moon is sighted in accordance with the prediction, Eid ul Adha will be celebrated on June 6. 

According to Emirates time, the moon would rise at 7:02 am and would be visible in the sky for approximately 38 minutes after sunset, enhancing the chances of seeing the moon.

Read: This lunar calendar has correctly predicted Eid ul Fitr dates in Pakistan since 1981

Similarly, astronomers also forecasted the Eid ul Adha date for Pakistan, stating that Pakistan would celebrate the occassion on June 7, a day after the Middle East.

However, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, said in his statement that the dates of Eid would be determined based on local moon sightings.

According to the UAE official holiday calendar, the holiday for the Day of Arafat and Eid ul Adha will be from 9 to 12 Dhu al-Hijjah (1445 AH), equivalent to a 4-day holiday. 

Notably, Pakistan also has an official crescent sighting group, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which sees and announces the visibility of the moon for the celebration of Islamic months.