The lunar crescent marking the start of Dhul Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic calendar, has been spotted in Saudi Arabia.
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has officially announced that Monday, June 19, will be the first day of Dhul Hijjah, setting the stage for two significant Islamic events. The annual Hajj pilgrimage is scheduled for Tuesday, 27 June, followed by the Eid Al Adha festivities on Wednesday, 28 June 2023.
Similar declarations regarding the sighting of the lunar crescent are expected from the UAE today. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and several other Gulf nations traditionally observe Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha simultaneously.
Prior to this announcement, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, urged Muslims to watch for the appearance of the Crescent moon on Sunday. The Sultan, who also presides over the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), conveyed his instructions in a communiqué penned by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.
The month of Dhul-Hijjah holds particular significance for Muslims as it hosts the annual Hajj pilgrimage and the Eid-el-Kabir festival. The NSCIA, in their statement, prayed for Allah’s guidance to help all Muslims fulfil their religious obligations.
