Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has announced that the Day of Arafat, which marks the peak of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, will be observed on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

The court also declared Wednesday, May 27, 2026, as Eid al-Adha celebration day.

This followed the official sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon, with Monday, May 18, confirmed as the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH.

In a statement, the Supreme Court said the decision was reached after reviewing testimonies submitted by witnesses who sighted the crescent moon.

“The Crescent Sighting Department of the Supreme Court reached the decision after reviewing testimonies submitted by witnesses regarding the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent,” the statement read.

The court also offered prayers for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for their continued services to pilgrims visiting the holy sites.

It further prayed for pilgrims undertaking the Hajj exercise.

“The court prayed for Allah to grant pilgrims ease and comfort in the performance of Hajj rites, and to preserve the security, stability, and prosperity of Saudi Arabia,” the statement added.

Haramain Info, the official account of the two holy mosques in Saudi Arabia, also confirmed the moon sighting in a post on X.

“The crescent moon for Dhul Hijjah 1447 has been sighted in Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, the blessed month of Dhul Hijjah will commence tonight, and ‘Eid al-Adha will be observed on Wednesday, 27th May 2026, in shā Allāh,” the post read.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, similarly declared Monday, May 18, as the first day of Dhul Hijjah.

The announcement officially signalled the beginning of one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar, during which millions of Muslims worldwide perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage and prepare for Eid al-Adha celebrations.

Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, is regarded as one of the most sacred periods in Islam and features major spiritual events, including the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha festivities.