Saudi Arabia declares first day of Eid al-Adha will be on Friday, June 6
Saudi Arabia declares first day of Eid al-Adha will be on Friday, June 6
Muslims trace the holiday’s roots to the Biblical Prophet Abraham and his son, Ishmail
Muslims trace the holiday’s roots to the Biblical Prophet Abraham and his son, Ishmail

Muslims praying in the Grand Mosque with the Kaaba in the center in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on the 27th night of Ramadan, March 26, 2025. [AFP via Getty Images]
Muslims praying in the Grand Mosque with the Kaaba in the center in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on the 27th night of Ramadan, March 26, 2025. [AFP via Getty Images]
On Tuesday night, the Supreme Judicial Council of Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of the crescent moon, marking Wednesday as the first day of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar ‘Hijri’ calendar.
This makes June 6, coinciding with the 10th day of the Islamic month as the first day of Eid al-Adha, the most significant Islamic holiday of the year.
The Day of Arafah, a day of fasting and spiritual significance, will be on June 5.
Dhul Hijjah, being the month when Muslims perform the once-in-a-lifetime mandatory Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of four holy months in the Hijri calendar.
Muslims mark the beginning of this calendar 1,446 years ago, when the Islamic Prophet Muhammad migrated with the first Muslim community from Mecca to Madinah in modern-day Saudi Arabia.
Eid al-Adha, which is also the 10th day of the Hajj pilgrimage, means the “feast of sacrifice,” as Muslims commemorate the strong faith of the Biblical Prophet Abraham, who was ordered by God to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ishmael.
To reward Abraham for his devotion, according to Islamic theology, God sent a lamb down from the heavens to be sacrificed instead.
Eid al-Adha is a holiday many Muslims look forward to, as it is celebrated with gatherings of prayer, feasts and gift-giving, and lasts for four days.
On Tuesday night, the Supreme Judicial Council of Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of the crescent moon, marking Wednesday as the first day of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar ‘Hijri’ calendar.
This makes June 6, coinciding with the 10th day of the Islamic month as the first day of Eid al-Adha, the most significant Islamic holiday of the year.
The Day of Arafah, a day of fasting and spiritual significance, will be on June 5.
Dhul Hijjah, being the month when Muslims perform the once-in-a-lifetime mandatory Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of four holy months in the Hijri calendar.
Muslims mark the beginning of this calendar 1,446 years ago, when the Islamic Prophet Muhammad migrated with the first Muslim community from Mecca to Madinah in modern-day Saudi Arabia.
Eid al-Adha, which is also the 10th day of the Hajj pilgrimage, means the “feast of sacrifice,” as Muslims commemorate the strong faith of the Biblical Prophet Abraham, who was ordered by God to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ishmael.
To reward Abraham for his devotion, according to Islamic theology, God sent a lamb down from the heavens to be sacrificed instead.
Eid al-Adha is a holiday many Muslims look forward to, as it is celebrated with gatherings of prayer, feasts and gift-giving, and lasts for four days.
Want a daily 5-minute read in your inbox?
Want a daily 5-minute read in your inbox?
Be the first to know.
Our Newsletter drops soon
— don't miss out.
Want a daily 5-minute read in your inbox?