Saudi authorities and several other Muslim-majority nations confirmed the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon on Sunday, May 17 [1].

This celestial observation is critical because it determines the official start of the month of Dhul Hijjah for the Islamic year 1447 AH [2]. The timing dictates the schedule for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Arafat Day, and the celebration of Eid al-Adha [3].

The Saudi Supreme Court oversaw the official moon-sighting process to establish the calendar for the kingdom [4]. While some reports indicated the decision was awaited from Saudi Arabia, other sources said that at least five countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and India, confirmed the start of the month [5].

Differing reports emerged regarding the exact timing and location of the first sighting. Some sources said the Saudi Supreme Court pushed the sighting date specifically to Sunday, May 17 [1], while other regional reports suggested the crescent could have been seen over a two-day window [6].

Because the Islamic calendar relies on lunar cycles, the physical sighting of the moon is the traditional method for marking the transition between months. This process often leads to slight variations in the start date of religious holidays across different geographic regions, a common occurrence in global Muslim communities.

The confirmation of the moon sighting allows millions of pilgrims to finalize travel and ritual arrangements for Hajj. The coordination between the Saudi court and other national bodies ensures that the majority of the global community can synchronize their religious observances [4].

“The timing dictates the schedule for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Arafat Day, and the celebration of Eid al-Adha.”

The confirmation of the Dhul Hijjah moon sighting triggers the operational phase of the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the largest annual human gatherings. Discrepancies in sighting reports between nations like Saudi Arabia and Indonesia highlight the tension between traditional lunar observation and calculated astronomical calendars, though most global communities align with the Saudi announcement to maintain unity during the pilgrimage.