The UAE has officially confirmed that Eid Al Adha will be observed on Friday, June 6, 2025, following the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon on Tuesday evening.
With the moon sighted, the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah will begin on Wednesday, May 28. This also means the Day of Arafah—an important day of reflection and fasting for Muslims—will fall on Thursday, June 5, leading into the Eid Al Adha celebrations on Friday.
As per the UAE Cabinet’s 2024 holiday schedule, residents will enjoy a four-day break starting Thursday, June 5, until Sunday, June 8, giving many a long weekend to celebrate with family and friends.
The Emirates Astronomy Centre confirmed that astronomers successfully captured the crescent moon multiple times on Tuesday from the Al Khatim Observatory in Abu Dhabi. The first photo was taken at 11:00 a.m. when the moon was 5.5 degrees from the sun. It was seen again at 3:15 p.m. and finally after sunset at 7:05 p.m., when its distance from the sun reached 7.6 degrees.
The Islamic calendar follows lunar phases, making moon sightings critical in determining the timing of religious events. Ahead of the announcement, residents were encouraged to report any sightings to the Crescent Sighting Committee.
Eid Al Adha, or the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, commemorating the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command.