The crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, hence Eid-El-Kabri will be celebrated on June 16, 2024.
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced that Friday, June 7 will mark the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah, as the crescent moon of Dhu Al Hijjah has been sighted in the kingdom on Thursday evening.
“Arafat Day falls on Saturday, June 15, while Sunday, June 16 will be the first day of Eid Al Adha,” according to a Saudi Supreme Court statement.
The sighting of the moon marks the beginning of the Dhu Al Hijjah Islamic month in which the Hajj pilgrimage is performed followed by Eid Al Adha.
The first day of Eid Al Adha otherwise known as Eid-El-Kabir falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah. Arafat Day falls on the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijjah.
One of the five pillars of Islam, Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every Muslim must make at least once in their lifetime if they can.
Eid el Kabir commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah’s command. In the Islamic tradition, just as Ibrahim was about to carry out the sacrifice, Allah intervened and provided an animal to be sacrificed instead.
This event symbolised faith, devotion, and submission to the will of Allah. Muslims celebrate this festival by slaughtering an animal, typically sheep, goat, or cow, and distributing the meat among family, friends, and those in need.
