Moon-sighting committees in Pakistan are awaiting reports on the Dhul-Hijjah crescent to determine the date of Eid al-Adha 2026 [1].
Establishing the start of the holy month of Dhul-Hijjah is essential for millions of Muslims to schedule the Festival of Sacrifice. Because the Islamic calendar relies on lunar sightings, the exact date of the holiday can vary across different countries depending on local observations and official decrees [1, 2].
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia and committees in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, India, Jordan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have appealed to Muslims to report any sightings of the new moon today [1]. A decision regarding the sighting in Pakistan is expected soon [1, 2].
While several nations remain in a period of observation, some have already finalized their calendars. Tunisia and Turkey have made announcements regarding the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah [2]. In neighboring India, officials said the country will observe Eid al-Adha on May 28, 2026 [2].
The process involves coordinating reports from various regions to ensure a consensus on the moon's visibility. The Saudi Supreme Court typically plays a central role in this process, as its findings often influence the scheduling for Muslims globally [1].
Once the crescent is officially sighted and verified, the start of Dhul-Hijjah is declared, which in turn sets the countdown for the 10th day of the month, the day of Eid al-Adha [1, 3].
“India will observe Eid al‑Adha on May 28, 2026.”
The variation in Eid dates across Pakistan, India, and other Muslim-majority nations highlights the tension between traditional lunar sighting methods and astronomical calculations. While some countries rely on verified physical sightings, others may follow pre-calculated calendars, leading to different observance dates for the same religious holiday within the same region.
