By Adesakin Adefemi
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has announced that the Day of Arafat, the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, will fall on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with Eid al-Adha celebrations set for Wednesday, May 27. The declaration follows the official sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon on Sunday evening.
The court confirmed that Monday, May 18, marks the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH. The decision was reached after the Crescent Sighting Department reviewed testimonies from witnesses across the kingdom who reported seeing the new moon. The announcement aligns the start of the 12th Islamic month and sets the calendar for the pilgrimage rites.
In its statement, the Supreme Court said the ruling was made in accordance with Islamic legal standards for moon sighting. The court also extended prayers for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, acknowledging their services to pilgrims visiting the holy sites.
The court further prayed for Allah to grant pilgrims ease and comfort in performing Hajj rites. It asked for continued security, stability, and prosperity for Saudi Arabia as millions prepare to converge on Makkah and Mina for the sacred obligations.
Haramain Info, the official account of the two holy mosques, confirmed the sighting on X, stating, “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 also included prayers for a safe Hajj for all pilgrims.
In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, made a matching declaration. He announced Monday, May 18, as the first day of Dhul Hijjah, synchronizing Nigeria’s observance with Saudi Arabia’s calendar.
The announcement marks the beginning of one of the most significant periods in the Islamic calendar. Dhul Hijjah is the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar and hosts key spiritual events, including the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha. Millions of Muslims worldwide use this period for prayer, fasting, and charitable acts.
For Nigerian pilgrims and those observing locally, the declaration sets the timeline for Eid al-Adha celebrations and related religious activities. The Sultan’s confirmation ensures alignment with the global Muslim community on the dates for sacrifice and communal prayers.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have already begun final preparations to manage the influx of pilgrims for Hajj. With the dates now confirmed, national Hajj commissions, including Nigeria’s, are expected to intensify arrangements for travel, accommodation, and medical support ahead of the pilgrimage.
