Rabat – Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on Muslims to participate in the sighting of the crescent moon of Dhu Al Hijjah on the evening of Wednesday, June 29, to determine the date of Eid Al Adha 2022.
Dhu Al Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, marking Eid Al Adha, the feast of sacrifice. The Islamic holiday is celebrated on the 10th day of the Dhu Al Hijjah.
The Saudi Supreme Court urged whoever sights the Islamic month’s crescent moon, with the naked eye or using a telescope, to report to the nearest court and register their testimony.
Every year, Saudi Arabia’s moon sighting committee gathers after sunset on Dhu Al Qi’dah 29 to look for the new crescent moon. Dhu Al Hijjah begins the following day if it is discovered.
Muslims use a lunar calendar that consists of 12 months in a year lasting 354 or 355 days. The sighting of a crescent moon determines the duration of each month, which is usually 29 or 30 days.
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The month of Dhu Al Hijjah is expected to begin on June 30 in most countries, meaning that Eid Al Adha is likely to take place on July 9.
Morocco will potentially observe the Dhu Al Hijjah moon a day later – June 30 – with the Islamic holiday likely to fall on July 10.
Last month, Moroccan astronomer Hicham Aissaoui predicted that Eid Al Adha would take place on July 10 in Morocco.
Last week, Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture estimated the country’s supply of healthy livestock, particularly sheep and goats, at eight million, considerably outweighing the demand of 5.6 million.
Eid Al Adha is one of the holiest events in Islam. It honors the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim – Abraham in Christianity and Judaism – to sacrifice his son Ismail at Allah’s behest.
