Mashable: Eid Al Adha 2024: Crescent moon sighted over Abu Dhabi; UAE residents to enjoy extended weekend

As the anticipation surrounding the Eid Al Adha 2024 holidays increases, the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah Moon in the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi has confirmed that the residents will be getting a long weekend break for the Muslim festival.

The Dhul Hijjah crescent moon was spotted in Abu Dhabi this morning, Friday, June 7, 2024.

In a social media post on the microblogging platform X/ Twitter, the UAE's Astronomy Centre shared a picture of the faint crescent, captured by the Al-Khatim Astronomical Observatory at 10 am UAE time.

هلال شهر ذي الحجة 1445هـ كما تم تصويره يوم الجمعة 07 يونيو 2024م من أبوظبي بواسطة مرصد الختم الفلكي، وذلك في الساعة 06 صباحا بتوقيت غرينتش. بعد القمر عن الشمس 11 درجة. عمر القمر السطحي 15.7 ساعة.

فريق المرصد: أسامة غنّام، أنس محمد، سامح العشي، خلفان النعيمي، محمد عودة pic.twitter.com/ogH8YRxPad — مركز الفلك الدولي (@AstronomyCenter) June 7, 2024

Islamic countries usually mark the start of Dhul Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic calendar, and the celebration of Eid Al Adha with moon sightings. The UAE typically follows the lead of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when announcing the Islamic holidays.

The crescent Moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, June 6. However, in Oman, the crescent moon which marks the start of Dhul Hijjah was nowhere to be seen on Thursday evening, which means that Monday, June 17, will be the first day of Eid Al Adha in Oman.

BREAKING | The crescent moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia. Dhul Hijjah 1445 (2024) has commenced. #Hajj #HaramainInfo pic.twitter.com/5HpkNjLTUV — (@HaramainInfo) June 6, 2024

According to the UAE government’s list of public holidays, residents are set to get one day off for Arafah Day, as well as three days off for the Muslim festival of Eid Al Adha.

While UAE residents are most likely expected to enjoy four/ five consecutive days off combined with the weekend, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the UAE Cabinet have yet to make an announcement.

Eid Al Adha, aka the Feast of Sacrifice, is marked by offering special prayers and slaughtering livestock including goat, sheep, camel, or cow to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s test of faith.