Eid ul Adha 2025: Moon Sighting Dates for Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Confirmed

Eid ul Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the most important Islamic festivals celebrated worldwide. It falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar, marking the end of the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. But when exactly will Eid ul Adha 2025 be celebrated in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia? The answer depends on the moon sighting, a key tradition that determines the start of Dhul Hijjah.

Moon Sighting for Dhul Hijjah 2025: What Happened?

The Islamic calendar relies on the sighting of the crescent moon to mark the start of a new month. For Dhul Hijjah 2025, moon sighting committees in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia met to confirm the beginning of this sacred month.

Moon Sighting in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court called for Muslims to sight the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The crescent was successfully sighted, confirming that Wednesday, May 28, 2025, is the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH. As a result:

• Arafat Day, the holiest day of Hajj, will be on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
• Eid ul Adha 2025 in Saudi Arabia will be celebrated on Friday, June 6, 2025.

This announcement aligns with the UAE, Oman, and other Gulf countries, which also confirmed the moon sighting on May 27, setting Eid ul Adha on June 6.

Moon Sighting in Pakistan

In Pakistan, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, led by Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, met in Islamabad on May 27, 2025, to sight the Zil Hajj moon. The committee, with input from the Pakistan Meteorological Department and SUPARCO, announced that the crescent moon was not sighted due to its young age (only 11 hours old) and cloudy skies. As a result:

• The first day of Zil Hajj (Dhul Hijjah) will be Thursday, May 29, 2025.
• Eid ul Adha 2025 in Pakistan will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025.

This one-day difference between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is common, as Pakistan often relies on local moon sightings, which may occur a day later than in Gulf countries.

Why Does Moon Sighting Matter for Eid ul Adha?

The moon sighting process is a centuries-old Islamic tradition that ensures unity in observing religious events. The Dhul Hijjah crescent moon marks the start of the month, which includes:

• Hajj pilgrimage: A five-day spiritual journey to Mecca, starting on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah (June 4, 2025, in Saudi Arabia).
• Arafat Day: The 9th of Dhul Hijjah, a day of fasting and reflection for non-pilgrims.
• Eid ul Adha: The 10th of Dhul Hijjah, when Muslims perform the Qurbani (animal sacrifice) to honor Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God.

Countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan rely on local or regional moon sightings, but some use global sightings or astronomical calculations for accuracy.

Eid ul Adha 2025: Pakistan vs. Saudi Arabia

To make it easier to understand, here’s a comparison of the key dates for Eid ul Adha 2025 and related events in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia:

This table shows how the moon sighting affects the timing of Eid ul Adha and Hajj 2025 in each country.

What to Expect During Eid ul Adha 2025

Eid ul Adha is a time of joy, reflection, and charity. Here’s what Muslims in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will do:

• Prayers: Muslims attend special Eid prayers in mosques or open grounds on the morning of Eid.
• Qurbani: Families sacrifice an animal (like a goat, sheep, or cow) and share the meat with family, friends, and the poor.
• Celebrations: People wear new clothes, visit loved ones, and enjoy traditional dishes like biryani in Pakistan or kabsa in Saudi Arabia.
• Charity: Giving to the needy is a key part of Eid, reflecting the festival’s focus on selflessness.

In Pakistan, the government has announced public holidays from June 7 to June 9, 2025, giving people a three-day weekend to celebrate. In Saudi Arabia, a four-day holiday from June 5 to June 8 is expected for public and private sectors.

Why Are Dates Different in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia?

The one-day difference in Eid ul Adha 2025 dates between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia comes from:

• Local Moon Sighting: Pakistan’s Ruet-e-Hilal Committee prioritizes local sightings, while Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court often confirms sightings earlier due to clearer skies or advanced observatories.
• Astronomical Factors: The crescent moon’s visibility depends on its age, weather, and location. In 2025, Pakistan’s cloudy skies on May 27 made sighting difficult.
• Cultural Practices: Some countries follow Saudi Arabia’s dates for unity, while others, like Pakistan, stick to local traditions.

This difference is normal and reflects the diversity of Islamic practices worldwide.

Future Trends: Modernizing Moon Sighting

In recent years, technology has changed how moon sightings are confirmed. Observatories like the Al Khatm Astronomical Observatory in the UAE and Sudayr Observatory in Saudi Arabia use telescopes and scientific data to predict crescent visibility. In Pakistan, SUPARCO provides lunar data to the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, blending tradition with science.

In the future, more countries may adopt astronomical calculations to set Islamic dates, reducing reliance on physical sightings. This could create more unified global calendars for events like Eid ul Adha and Hajj.