Eid ul-Adha 2025 – Dates by Country and Moon Sightings

Eid ul-Adha 2025 is predicted to commence on June 6 in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States, following confirmed moon sightings that establish the beginning of Dhul Hijjah on May 27 or 28. The festival, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, occurs on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, immediately following the Day of Arafat on June 5 in these regions.

The exact date remains provisional across the globe, as Islamic tradition mandates visual confirmation of the crescent moon to determine the commencement of the holy month. In India and South Asia, celebrations may shift to June 7 or June 8 depending on local sightings scheduled for May 28, creating a potential one-to-two-day variance with Gulf nations.

When is Eid ul-Adha 2025?

Key Insights

• Eid ul-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
• Saudi Arabia and the UAE anticipate June 6 based on confirmed sightings on May 27.
• South Asian countries including India may observe the festival on June 7 or 8.
• The date pivots on the visibility of the Dhul Hijjah crescent, not astronomical calculations alone.
• Arafat Day, the climax of Hajj, occurs on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah—June 5 for most Gulf nations.
• The festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion and coincides with the completion of Hajj rituals in Mecca.
• Celebrations typically span three to four days, incorporating prayer, sacrifice, and charitable distribution.

Eid ul-Adha 2025 Dates by Country

Saudi Arabia has confirmed the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent on May 27, establishing the start of the holy month and setting Eid ul-Adha for June 6. The Kingdom’s official moon sighting committee utilized telescopic observation alongside traditional methods to verify the crescent’s appearance, aligning with the announcements from Islamic authorities.

The UAE follows a similar timeline, with committees confirming the crescent on the evening of May 27 after sunset, thereby commencing Dhul Hijjah on May 28. This places Arafat Day on June 5 and Eid celebrations on June 6, as reported by Gulf News and Economy Middle East.

India, Pakistan, and South Asia

In India, the situation remains fluid. Local moon sighting committees will convene on May 28 after Maghrib prayers to determine whether the crescent is visible to the naked eye. Should the moon appear, Dhul Hijjah begins May 29, positioning Eid on June 7; otherwise, the start delays to May 30, shifting celebrations to June 8. This variance stems from regional observational differences rather than astronomical disagreement, according to Hindustan Times.

United Kingdom and United States

Muslim communities in the States of America – 50 States, Capitals and Federal Facts generally align with Saudi announcements, predicting June 6 for Eid observances. Similarly, UK Muslim organizations typically follow the Makkah calendar or local moon sighting confirmations that mirror Gulf timelines, though individual mosques may vary based on visibility conditions.

Eid al-Adha 2025 Moon Sighting and Confirmation

The Islamic calendar’s dependence on lunar observation creates annual anticipation regarding exact festival dates. For 2025, astronomical data suggests the Dhul Hijjah crescent will be approximately 13 hours old on May 27, presenting low horizon visibility challenges in Asia, Africa, and Europe, while remaining potentially visible to the naked eye in the Americas.

Confirmation Procedures

Confirmation procedures vary by jurisdiction. Saudi Arabia utilizes a centralized committee combining astronomical calculations with mandatory visual verification. The UAE employs multiple observation teams across emirates, using both expert observers and public witnesses. The International Astronomical Center predicts May 28 as Dhu al-Hijjah day 1 globally if sighted, though local committees maintain authority over regional determinations.

What is Eid ul-Adha and How is it Celebrated?

Eid ul-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to divine command—a narrative central to Abrahamic traditions. The festival coincides with the culmination of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, specifically following the Day of Arafat when pilgrims gather on the plains of Mount Arafat.

Rituals and Traditions

The primary ritual, Qurbani, involves the sacrifice of permissible animals—typically sheep, goats, or cattle—to honor Ibrahim’s devotion. Participants divide the meat into three equal portions: one for immediate family, one for relatives and neighbors, and one for the poor and needy. This distribution emphasizes communal solidarity and charitable obligation.

Prayer Times and Spiritual Observances

Prayer gatherings occur on the morning of Eid, shortly after sunrise and following the Fajr prayer, in designated open grounds and mosques. While specific 2025 timings remain unannounced, congregations typically gather between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM local time depending on geographic location and seasonal sunrise calculations. The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah constitute the most spiritually significant days of the Islamic year, with many Muslims fasting on Arafat Day (the 9th) in expiation of sins—exempting those physically present at Hajj.

In North America, organizations like the Islamic Society of North America provide guidance on moon sighting determinations and prayer schedules for diaspora communities.

Timeline of Dhul Hijjah 2025

1. May 26, 2025: Completion of Dhul Qadah; daytime sighting of previous crescent in UAE
2. May 27, 2025: Target crescent sighting for Saudi Arabia; committees observe post-sunset
3. May 28, 2025: Target crescent sighting for India and South Asia; UAE begins Dhul Hijjah
4. June 5, 2025: Day of Arafat (9th Dhul Hijjah); Hajj climax at Mount Arafat
5. June 6, 2025: Eid al-Adha begins (10th Dhul Hijjah) in Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, and USA
6. June 7, 2025: Potential Eid date for India if crescent sighted May 28
7. June 8, 2025: Alternative Eid date for India if sighting delayed
8. June 9-11, 2025: Days of Tashreeq (11th-13th Dhul Hijjah); continued festivities and sacrifice days

Confirmed Details and Remaining Uncertainties

The Historical and Spiritual Context of Eid ul-Adha

Eid ul-Adha stands as the holiest celebration in Islam after Eid al-Fitr, marking the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage and embodying principles of absolute devotion and charitable sacrifice. The festival’s timing alongside the Hajj rituals creates a unified global experience where Muslims worldwide observe spiritual practices parallel to those performed by pilgrims in Mecca.

This synchronization underscores the religion’s emphasis on collective worship and shared sacrifice, transcending geographic and cultural boundaries through common ritual observance. The narrative of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son—met with divine provision of a ram—serves as the theological foundation for the Qurbani ritual, emphasizing submission to God’s will and compassion for the less fortunate.

Sources and Religious Authority

The crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah was sighted on the evening of May 27, confirming the holy month’s commencement and establishing Eid al-Adha for June 6, 2025.

— Muslim Hands USA, May 2025

UAE committees observed the crescent moon on May 27 post-sunset, with Dhul al-Hijjah beginning May 28 and Arafat Day falling on June 5.

— Gulf News, May 2025

Muslims in India await the May 28 sighting; if confirmed, Dhul Hijjah starts May 29 with Eid on June 7, otherwise shifting to June 8.

— Hindustan Times, May 2025

Summary: Preparing for Eid ul-Adha 2025

Eid ul-Adha 2025 will commence on June 6 across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the United States, and the United Kingdom, while Indian observances may fall on June 7 or 8 pending final moon sightings. The festival requires Muslims to perform Qurbani, attend communal prayers, and distribute meat to the less fortunate, continuing traditions that honor Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice. Those planning travel or leave during this period should consult local Allianz Green Slip Quote – Instant NSW CTP Prices Online religious authorities for definitive confirmation of dates in their specific regions.

Frequently Asked Questions