Kashmir Impulse Desk

Riyadh, May 17 

Saudi Supreme Court announced on Sunday that this year’s Youm Arafah, the central ritual of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, will be observed on May 26 after the crescent moon marking the start of Dhul Hijjah was sighted in Saudi Arabia.

The court said Eid al-Adha would be celebrated on May 27.

The sighting of the crescent moon on Sunday evening marked the beginning of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah from May 18 in Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries.

Youm Arafah, observed on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, marks the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage when millions of pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat and the surrounding plains for prayers and reflection.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is traditionally quoted as saying, “Hajj is Arafah,” underscoring the centrality of the ritual in the pilgrimage. 

Pilgrims who fail to be physically present at Arafat during the designated time are considered not to have completed Hajj.

This year’s five-day pilgrimage is expected to begin on May 25, with more than 1.5 million pilgrims anticipated to gather in the tent city of Mina before proceeding to Arafat.

Earlier, the Saudi Supreme Court had urged Muslims across the kingdom to look for the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon on Sunday evening and report sightings to the nearest court or authorised centre.

With the moon sighting confirmed, Muslim communities in countries including the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates are expected to follow the Saudi announcement, although some nations and religious organisations may rely on local moon sightings to determine Islamic dates independently.