Muslims observe Eid al-Adha 2026 and Hajj pilgrimage

Muslims worldwide are observing the first day of Eid al-Adha and the sacred rituals of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage this week.

These events represent one of the most significant spiritual periods in the Islamic calendar. The observance involves both the physical pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and global community gatherings that unite the faith's followers.

Live coverage has highlighted the activity at Masjid al-Harām in Makkah, where pilgrims are performing Tawaf and other rituals of Dhul-Hijjah ^[1]. This period marks the final month of the Islamic calendar ^[2]. The festivities and rites are part of the Festival of Sacrifice, a time of deep religious significance for the global community ^[3].

The scale of the observance is vast, involving approximately 2 billion Muslims ^[4]. While the focal point remains the Grand Mosque in Makkah, celebrations have extended to major cities across the globe. In the United Kingdom, a large gathering in Manchester is expected to draw around 20,000 people ^[5].

These rituals in Makkah are central to the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage that every able-bodied Muslim is expected to perform at least once. The process includes specific rites of Dhul-Hijjah, which are broadcast live to allow those unable to travel to participate spiritually from their homes ^[1].

Saudi Arabia previously confirmed the dates for the 2026 holiday, prompting millions to await official moon sightings to synchronize the start of the festivities ^[3]. The combination of the Hajj pilgrimage and the Eid al-Adha holiday creates a concentrated period of worship and communal sacrifice that spans continents [3, 5].