Saudi Arabia Moon Sighting Announcement for Dhu al-Hijjah 1447

The official moon-sighting campaign has been notified in Saudi for the month of Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH on Sunday, May 17, 2026 across the country. This long looking forward announcement will give the exact details of the dates of the Hajj 2026, Arafat Day, and Eid al-Adha Celebrations in the Gulf region.

Observers from all over the Kingdom have come out in force, and the process is being monitored by the Saudi Supreme Court, leaving millions of Muslims around the globe eagerly waiting for the final royal decree. The announcement is likely to affect the public holidays, travel booking, logistics for pilgrims and business activities across the GCC region.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Local Bahrain | لوكل بحرين (@localbh)

Saudi Supreme Court Introduces a Strategic Calendar Shift

This year’s biggest news is the uncharacteristic changes made by the Saudi Supreme Court when it comes to the Islamic calendar. By the order of the judiciary the 17th of may, which being the Sunday has been highly observed, has been made the 29th day of Dhu al-Qa’dah for the purpose of observation.

This ruling comes after a previous ruling in the Umm Al-Qura civil calendar calculations that indicated Sunday was the 30th day of the month. 

The change may also aid in combating the traditional differences between regions regarding the timing of Eid, particularly in the time leading up to and after Hajj to Makkah.

Saudi Arabia’s Moon Sighting Teams are on High Alert

In all of the Kingdom, Moon-Sighting committees and astronomers are now observing the western horizon after the Maghrib prayers. The process is centered once again on some of the major observation locations, like Sudair and Tumair.

The astronomical predictions for the visibility of the moon indicate good viewing via the moon low.The astronomical predictions of the moon visibility suggest favourable visibility conditions for the crescent moon. Saudi Arabia and most GCC countries are in the “green zone” of high Hilal visibility as per the Global Hilal visibility maps.

The crescent moon will likely be visible to the naked eye as the Sun sets, unless the weather hampers visibility and dust storms form.

Expected scenarios for the date of Eid al-Adha 2026.

The main ruling issued by the Supreme Court tonight is one of two potential timelines that will be used for the celebration of Eid al-Adha and the Hajj.

Scenario A: Moon Sighted on Sunday, May 17th. If it is possible to find the crescent tonight, the Islamic year will go on like this:

• 1 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH: Monday, May 18, 2026
• Day of Arafat: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
• Eid al-Adha 2026: Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Currently this is thought to be the most likely scenario according to astronomical forecasts.

Scenario B: Moon Not Sighted on Sunday. The time line will be revised to be:

• 1 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
• The Day of Arafat is Wednesday the 27th of May 2026.
• Eid al-Adha 2026: Thursday, May 28, 2026

If the visibility reports are hindered by atmospheric conditions then this alternative scenario is still possible.

Why Does Moon Sighting Matters?

The announcement of the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia has direct effects on governments, airline companies, businesses and people around the Gulf all over. Many UAE and Middle Eastern countries follow the declaration of the Islamic holidays such as the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman through the main Islamic sheikh holidays of the year.

Demand for travel is already picking up with people waiting to get final approval before they make their flight and hotel bookings. For airlines and travelling companies, [booking] volatility has been alarming because of the deeply felt uncertainties around the ‘big holiday window’.

Top Picks For You

Explore UAE travel alert apps today?
Explore the latest UAE travel alert apps to stay updated on flight delays and transit disruptions in real time.

Discover GCC event tracking updates easily?
Discover top GCC event tracking sites to monitor cancellations and schedule changes without missing important updates.

Check best Gulf tracking apps now?
Check the best Gulf weather, flight, and road tracking apps for accurate and timely travel insights.

Find safe places near you fast?
Discover why “safe places near me” searches are rising in Doha and Dubai and how to stay prepared.

Explore GCC luxury travel trends 2026?
Explore the booming trend of hyper-luxury travel shaping the future of tourism across the GCC.

Public Holiday Announcements Expected Within 24 Hours

Once the Saudi Supreme Court has officially announced the start of Dhu al-Hijjah, the labour ministries and government departments of the GCC will draw down holiday announcements as soon as they do.

Certain private sector workers in the UAE are particularly watching how Saudi government redactions turn into confirmations from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MoHRE) and are waiting for what actions the ministry will take on the UAE.

FAQs