The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia calls for the sighting of the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah
Official call to sight the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia issued an official statement calling on all Muslims throughout the Kingdom to look for the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah. The Court clarified that the sighting will take place on Sunday evening, corresponding to the 30th of Dhu al-Qa'dah according to the Umm al-Qura calendar, which corresponds to the 29th of Dhu al-Qa'dah 1447 AH (according to a previous Supreme Court decision), and the 17th of May 2026 CE.
Procedures for reporting the sighting of the crescent moon
In its statement, the Supreme Court urged anyone who sights the crescent moon, whether with the naked eye or using binoculars and astronomical instruments, to promptly report their sighting to the nearest court and register their testimony. The court also provided the option of contacting the nearest emirate or police station to assist the sighter in reaching the nearest court to give their testimony, emphasizing the importance of this procedure in confirming the start of the holy month.
The religious and historical significance of sighting the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah
The month of Dhul-Hijjah holds a special and unique place in the Islamic world. It is one of the sacred months, and it is during this month that the Hajj pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam, is performed. The crucial importance of sighting the new moon of this month lies in determining the precise dates of the most important religious observances, most notably the Day of Arafah, which falls on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, and Eid al-Adha, which falls on the tenth. Since the dawn of Islam, Muslims have relied on the sighting of the new moon, following the Prophetic guidance that links religious observances to the visual sighting of the new moon.
The domestic and international impact of the Supreme Court's declaration
Domestically, the Supreme Court's announcement marks the final signal for all sectors of the Saudi Arabian government to raise their level of preparedness to the highest degree in anticipation of receiving pilgrims. The Ministries of Hajj and Umrah, Interior, and Health, along with other relevant authorities, are working together to ensure the smooth, safe, and secure conduct of the Hajj rituals.
On both regional and international levels, the eyes of more than 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide are turned towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at this time. The vast majority of Islamic countries and Muslim communities around the world rely on the official Saudi announcement regarding the unified date of Arafat Day and the date of Eid al-Adha, thus strengthening the unity and solidarity of the Muslim Ummah.
Integration between the Sharia perspective and official committees
The Supreme Court encouraged those with the ability and experience to observe the new moon to take an interest in this matter and join the official committees established in various regions for this purpose. These committees typically include judges, astronomers, and experienced observers, ensuring accurate observation and the reward for assisting Muslims in performing their religious rites with certainty, as this constitutes cooperation in righteousness and piety and benefits all Muslims.
