UAE residents are set to observe Eid Al Adha 2025 on Friday, June 6, as the International Astronomy Centre (IAC) predicts the crescent moon marking the start of Dhul Hijjah will be observable on Monday, May 27.
IAC Predicts Dhul Hijjah Moon Sighting on May 27
IAC Director Engineer Mohammed Shawkat Odeh stated that the crescent moon should be visible from Central and Western Asia, most of Africa, and Europe using a telescope. From parts of the Americas, it may even be spotted with the naked eye.
Should the moon be sighted on May 27, Arafat Day — the holiest day of the Hajj pilgrimage — falls on Thursday, June 5, with Eid Al Adha following on Friday, June 6.
Emirates Astronomical Society Confirms the Forecast
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society, agreed with the IAC's assessment. He confirmed that Wednesday, May 28 is expected to be Dhul Hijjah 1, placing Eid Al Adha on June 6.
If the crescent moon is not observed on May 27, however, Dhul Hijjah would begin on May 29, pushing Arafat Day to June 6 and Eid Al Adha to Saturday, June 7.
UAE Cabinet Confirms Four-Day Public Holiday
The UAE Cabinet has officially confirmed that residents will receive a four-day public holiday covering Arafat Day (Dhul Hijjah 9) and the three days of Eid Al Adha (Dhul Hijjah 10 to 12).
- If the moon is sighted on May 27: holiday runs from June 5 to June 8 - If the moon is not sighted: holiday runs from June 6 to June 9
Abu Dhabi Moon Data
Technical data for Abu Dhabi shows the moon will be positioned 38 minutes after sunset, aged 13 hours and 29 minutes, and 7.7 degrees from the sun — conditions that make naked-eye sighting unlikely; a telescope will be required. Similar conditions are expected in Makkah.
Because the Islamic calendar is based on lunar observation, the final confirmed dates for Eid Al Adha 2025 in the UAE will be announced by official moon-sighting authorities following the attempt on May 27.
