Saudi Arabia announced that Thursday, September 24, will be the first day of Eid Al Adha, Wam said.

The statement said Arafah will be on Wednesday, the ninth of the month of Dhu Al Hijjah, corresponding to September 23 and the first day of Eid accordingly will fall on Thursday, the tenth of the month of Dhu Al Hijjah, corresponding to 24th of the month of September.

Earlier story:

All eyes will be fixated in the heavens today (Sunday, September 13) to witness Zul Hijjah moon of 1436 Islamic Hijri year.

The moon sighting committees in the UAE and Saudi Arabia will meet today in their respective countries to witness the Zul Hijjah crescent.

According to astronomers’ forecasts, the month of Zul Qaadah will have 29 days. Therefore, the first day of Zul Hijjah will be Monday, September 14.

This means Tuesday, September 22, will be Arafat Day and Wednesday, September 23, will be the first day of Eid Al Adha in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and all other Muslim countries that follow the Hijri calendar along with Saudi Arabia.

The UAE committee meeting is likely to begin before Maghrib prayer at around 6pm (2pm GMT) and the announcement is due around 8pm after all the evidence about the Crescent is received and endorsed  by the committee.  Announcement from Saudi Arabia is expected around the same time.

Last year, Muslims performed Haj-e-Akbar in Saudi Arabia as Arafat Day was marked on Friday.

Eid Al Adha holidays

If astronomers’ forecasts prove right, then the UAE residents will have five days holidays from Tuesday, September 22 until Saturday, September 26.

But if Zul Qaadah month closes with 30 days, the residents will most likely lose one day and have four days of holidays.

However, a government announcement on the public and private sector holidays will be declared later.

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