The authorities of Saudi Arabia have officially announced the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
This signals the beginning of a significant period in the Muslim faith, especially as millions of pilgrims from around the world prepare for the annual Hajj in the holy city of Makkah.
The announcement was shared by Haramain, a Saudi-based Islamic news platform, on Tuesday evening through a post on X (formerly Twitter). According to the post, “Wednesday would be the first day of Dhul Hijjah,” confirming the start of this holy month.
Dhul Hijjah is known as one of the four sacred months in Islam. It holds deep spiritual importance for Muslims globally, not only for the pilgrimage but also for the series of significant days it includes. One of those days is the Day of Arafat, followed by Eid-el-Adha, the second and most widely celebrated Islamic festival.
In the same announcement, Haramain stated that “June 5 would be the day of Arafat,” which is the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah and is considered the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage. On this day, pilgrims gather on the plains of Arafat to pray, repent, and seek forgiveness. It is believed to be one of the most spiritually rewarding days in Islam. The next day, June 6, has been designated as “the day of Eid-el-Adha,” a day observed by Muslims worldwide with prayers, acts of charity, and the symbolic sacrifice of livestock.
