Religious authorities in Quetta, Pakistan, have provided an update regarding the sighting of the Dhul-Hijjah crescent moon for the 2026 season.
The sighting is critical because it determines the official start of the month of Dhul-Hijjah and the subsequent date of Eid-ul-Adha. Because the Islamic calendar relies on lunar observations, the exact timing of these events can vary by a day depending on local sightings and official declarations.
Dhul-Hijjah serves as the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar for the year 1447 [1]. The process of sighting the moon involves observing the thin crescent after the new moon, a practice that coordinates the religious activities of millions of Muslims globally.
While local authorities in Quetta continue their observations, several other countries have already indicated that Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated on May 27, 2026 [2]. The festival of Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two most important holidays in Islam.
The determination of the date is a collaborative effort involving religious scholars and moon-sighting committees. These groups monitor the horizon to ensure the lunar cycle is complete before announcing the start of the sacred month.
The announcement from Quetta follows a broader regional effort to synchronize the lunar calendar. Accurate sightings are necessary to organize the Hajj pilgrimage, and the communal prayers that define the holiday.
“Dhul-Hijjah serves as the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar for the year 1447”
The coordination of moon sightings across different regions often leads to slight variations in when the holiday begins. While international projections suggest May 27, local confirmations in Pakistan ensure that the community adheres to traditional lunar observation methods, which remain the primary authority for religious timing in the region.
