Breaking: Astronomers Pick May 27 for Eid-Al-Adha, May 26 for Arafat as Two Billion Muslims Await Saudi Confirmation
As nearly two billion Muslims worldwide begin preparations for the 2026 Eid-Al-Adha celebration, astronomers have projected that the festival will likely fall on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, with Arafat Day expected a day earlier on Tuesday, May 26.
This projection follows key announcements from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the Islamic calendar.
The Saudi Supreme Court confirmed that Sunday, April 19, 2026, marks the first day of Dhu Al Qadah 1447 AH after the crescent moon was not sighted on Friday, April 17.
As a result, the month of Shawwal completed a full 30 days, ending on Saturday, April 18.
Based on astronomical calculations and the Umm al-Qura calendar, the anticipated dates for Arafat and Eid-Al-Adha have now been outlined. However, authorities emphasized that these dates remain provisional, pending the official sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon expected around mid-May 2026. Final confirmation will be issued by the Saudi Supreme Court.
Adding to the scientific observations, the International Astronomy Center confirmed that the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhu Al Qadah was successfully photographed from Abu Dhabi. The image, captured on the morning of April 18 at the Khatm Astronomical Observatory, showed the moon at 16.5 hours old and positioned 11.7 degrees from the sun.
Eid-Al-Adha on a Budget: Muslims Face Rising Costs
While anticipation builds for the religious festivities, many Muslims are also confronting economic challenges. A sustained surge in global crude oil prices has triggered widespread inflation, significantly increasing the cost of living.
Fuel price hikes have driven up transportation costs and affected the prices of essential goods, including sacrificial animals, which in some regions have doubled or even tripled in cost.
10 Tips for Celebrating Sallah on a Budget:
- Plan Early: Start saving and budgeting well ahead of the festival.
- Share Sacrifices: Partner with family or friends to share the cost of an animal.
- Buy Locally: Source animals and food items from local markets to reduce costs.
- Set Spending Limits: Avoid unnecessary expenses by sticking to a clear budget.
- Cook at Home: Preparing meals at home is more cost-effective than catering.
- Simplify Celebrations: Focus on the spiritual essence rather than extravagant gatherings.
- Reuse and Recycle: Use existing clothing or household items instead of buying new ones.
- Bulk Purchases: Buy non-perishable items in bulk to save money.
- Give Within Means: Charity remains important, but it should be done according to one’s financial capacity.
- Avoid Debt: Refrain from borrowing money to fund celebrations.
As the countdown continues, Muslims across the globe remain attentive to Saudi Arabia’s official moon sighting announcement, which will confirm the final dates for one of Islam’s most significant religious observances.
