Published: Sun 18 Jun 2023, 8:10 PM

Last updated: Mon 19 Jun 2023, 1:47 PM

Muslims around the world are rejoicing as the date of the first day of Eid Al Adha has been announced.

Islamic countries rely on local moon sightings to determine the beginning of the month of Dhul Hijjah and the celebration of Eid Al Adha. They follow their own sighting committees or organisations responsible for verifying the sighting of the crescent moon within their respective countries.

Here is when these Gulf countries will mark the first day of the occasion:

Saudi Arabia The crescent moon that signals the start of Islamic month Dhul Hijjah was spotted in Saudi Arabia on Sunday night. The last month in the Islamic Hijri calendar, therefore, begins on Monday, June 19.

Oman The Sultanate of Oman has announced that the moon has been spotted and the first day of Eid Al Adha will be on Wednesday, June 28, according to Astronomy Centre.

UAE The sighting of the crescent moon on Monday morning in the UAE marked the beginning of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. Therefore, Arafat Day will be on Tuesday, the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah for this Year, 1444 AH, corresponding to June 27, and the blessed Eid Al Adha will be on the following day, Wednesday.

The Astronomy Centre posted a picture of the crescent as it was photographed from the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory in Abu Dhabi. The photograph was taken at 9am UAE local time on Monday, June 19, 2023.