Saudi Arabia, UAE Set Eid al-Adha for May 27 as Lunar Moon Sightings Fix Date
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 26
Saudi Arabia, UAE Set Eid al-Adha for May 27 as Lunar Moon Sightings Fix Date
5 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 26
May 27 will mark Eid al-Adha in 2026 after officials in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates declared the holiday date based on moon sightings.
The festival’s timing shifts each year because the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, and many Muslims worldwide look to Gulf moon-sighting committees for guidance.
Eid al-Adha, the second of Islam’s two major Eid holidays, commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son before God sent a ram in his place.
The holiday falls in Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, and coincides with the end of the Hajj pilgrimage season to Mecca.
As inflation impacts celebrations, how is the meaning of 'sacrifice' being redefined for millions this Eid al-Adha?
With global crises casting a shadow, how are communities channeling the spirit of Qurbani into targeted humanitarian aid?