Authorities in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are observing the Dhul-Hijjah crescent moon today, May 17, 2026 [1].

The sighting is critical because it officially confirms the beginning of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. This determination sets the exact date for Eid al-Adha, a major Islamic festival observed by approximately two billion Muslims worldwide [3, 4].

In Pakistan, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is tasked with the official observation process [1, 2]. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia's official moon-sighting authorities are monitoring the skies to provide the baseline for the global Muslim community [2]. The observation on May 17 [1] serves as the definitive marker for the transition into the sacred month.

While the physical sighting is the traditional and legal requirement for the holiday's start, astronomical calculations provide a preliminary window for planning. Some projections suggest the likely date for Eid al-Adha in the UAE and the wider Muslim world will be June 6, 2026 [5]. However, these calculations remain secondary to the official sightings reported by the committees in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Eid al-Adha is one of the two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. The festival involves specific rituals, including the sacrifice of livestock and communal prayers, which require precise timing based on the lunar calendar.

Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the dates of festivals shift each year relative to the Gregorian calendar. This makes the coordinated efforts of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and Saudi authorities essential for synchronizing celebrations across different time zones, and borders.

“The sighting is critical because it officially confirms the beginning of the month of Dhul-Hijjah.”

The reliance on physical moon sightings over astronomical calculations maintains a centuries-old religious tradition that prioritizes empirical observation. Because Saudi Arabia is the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, its sighting often serves as the primary reference point for millions of Muslims globally, though local committees like Pakistan's Ruet-e-Hilal maintain national autonomy in their declarations.