Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on all Muslims throughout the Kingdom to sight the crescent moon of the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah on Wednesday evening, June 29.
The court urged all Muslims to sight the new moon of Dhu Al Hijjah during which the annual Hajj pilgrimage is performed. Eid Al Adha is celebrated on the 10th of Dhu Al Hijjah.
#المحكمة_العُليا
تدعو إلى تحري رؤية هلال شهر ذي الحجة، مساء بعد غد الأربعاء الـ30 من شهر ذي القعدة 1443هـ pic.twitter.com/T9zWdrhcf2— إمارة منطقة مكة المكرمة (@makkahregion) June 27, 2022
The court urged anyone, who spots the crescent with the naked eye or via a telescope to inform the nearest court, to register a testimony there or contact the nearest centre to assist him in reaching the nearest court.
Eid Al Adha 2022 moon sightings by key location:
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Wednesday, June 29 – moon not visible
Thursday, June 30 – moon easily visible, sunset at 7.07pm, moonset at 8.26pm
Friday, July 1 – moon easily visible, sunset at 7.07pm, moonset at 9.10pm
Mecca is two hours of British Summer Time.
Rabat, Morocco
Wednesday, June 29 – will require optical aid (such as binoculars) to find crescent, sunset at 8.43pm, moonset at 9.26pm
Thursday, June 30 – moon easily visible, sunset at 8.43pm, moonset at 10.11pm
Friday, July 1 – moon easily visible,sunset at 8.43pm, moonset at 10.50pm
Rabat time is the same as British Summer Time.
Birmingham, UK
Wednesday, June 29 – moon not visible
Thursday, June 30 – moon easily visible, sunset at 9.34pm, moonset at 11.08pm
Friday, July 1 – moon easily visible, sunset at 9.33pm, moonset at 11.36pm
Similar visibility chances apply across the rest of the UK, with slight variations in timings depending on location. Weather conditions will also be a factor.
What does this mean for the dates of Dhul Hijjah and Eid ul Adha?
Based on the above data, it looks like Dhul Hijjah will start on June 30 for most countries after the moon is seen on that evening, with the possibility of it being one day earlier in Morocco if the moon is observed on June 29 with an optical aid, as is forecast – subject to weather conditions.
This then means the 10th day of the month, on which Eid ul Adha begins, will be July 9 for most countries, and potentially a day earlier for Morocco. Other Muslim-majority nations such as Pakistan have their own moon-sighting systems.
