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Which countries will mark Eid Al Adha on May 27, 28? Dates announced
Eid Al Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah, with the 9th day of the month (Day of Arafah) being one of the most important dates in Islam
- PUBLISHED: Sun 17 May 2026, 11:50 AM UPDATED: Sun 17 May 2026, 8:24 PM
[Editor's note: Follow the Khaleej Times Eid Al Adha 2026 live blog as UAE, Saudi Arabia, other countries announce the beginning of Dhul Hijjah.]
The crescent for the last month of the Islamic calendar was sighted in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, indicating the start of the Dhul Hijjah month. The announcement also sets in motion the sequence of important dates observed by Muslims worldwide, including Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha. Some countries have already declared the official day of the festival and are set to begin the month on May 18.
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The sighting of the crescent marks the beginning of a new Islamic month, which usually lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the lunar cycle. The 9th day of the month is the Day of Arafah, and Eid Al Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, one of the most important dates in Islam.
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UAE's Astronomy Centre had earlier predicted that the crescent would be visible to the naked eye in Central and Western Asia, North Africa, and most of the Americas, while it would be visible with telescopes from East Asia, South Africa, and southern South America.
Here are the countries that have announced the official start dates for Eid Al Adha 2026, with some set to begin Dhul Hijjah tomorrow and others on Tuesday, May 19.
Eid Al Adha on May 27
UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman
These three Gulf states confirmed that tomorrow will be the first day of Dhul Hijjah after the crescent was sighted this evening, and Eid Al Adha festivities will begin on May 27.
Jordan
Jordan's Grand Mufti Dr Ahmed Al-Hasanat has announced that tomorrow, Monday, is the first day of the month of Dhul Hijjah, according to the official Petra news agency.
Indonesia and Malaysia
On Sunday evening, Malaysia and Indonesia announced that May 27 will be the first day of Eid Al Adha, and the last month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah, will begin on May 18.
Tunisia
Tunisia was the first country to officially announce that Dhul Hijjah will start tomorrow, Monday, May 18, and that Eid Al Adha is on Wednesday, May 27.
Turkey
Turkey does not sight the crescent moon and relies on calendar-based calculations and has, such also, announced the first day of Dhul Hijjah to be tomorrow, May 18, meaning Eid Al Adha will fall on Wednesday, May 27.
Eid Al Adha on May 28
India
India announced that May 28 will be the first day of Eid Al Adha after the Dhul Hijjah crescent was not sighted in the country, as reported by its official news agency, ANI.
Brunei
Brunei has officially announced that Eid al-Adha will be observed on Thursday, May 28, 2026, after religious authorities confirmed the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon was not sighted.
As a result, the new month of Dhul Hijjah will begin on Tuesday, May 19.
