Eid al-Adha Moon Watching 2023 Live: Muslims in Saudi Arabia, UAE and UK Prepare to Watch Dhul Hijjah New Moon

Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is of great significance to Muslims around the world as it marks the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca known as Hajj Eid al-Fitr (Also known as Bakra Eid, Bakrid, Bakhreid, Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban, Qurban Bayarami or Feast of Sacrifice) on the tenth day of each month. Dhul Hijjah is considered a holy month, a time of high devotion, reflection and acts of worship. (Also read: Eid-ul-Adha 2023: Muslims in Saudi Arabia, India, UAE and other countries will celebrate the date of Bakra Eid in Dhul Hijjah)

During the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims engage in various prayers and good deeds, as these days are considered especially lucky, and are encouraged to perform acts such as fasting, reciting the Qur’an, giving alms and performing additional prayers, as these are considered to bring Bring great rewards and blessings. The highlight of Dhul Hijjah is the Hajj pilgrimage, a spiritual journey that Muslims from all over the world embark on, performing a series of rituals in and around Mecca.

Hajj is an obligation for able-bodied Muslims who can afford the journey, a time of unity, humility and seeking intimacy with God. Rituals performed by pilgrims dating back to the time of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) include circumambulating the Kaaba, standing on the plain of Arafat and symbolically stoning the devil to death.

The tenth day of Dhul Hijjah is known as Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakrid or Festival of Sacrifice. It commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to the command of Allah and is celebrated by Muslims around the world by praying, sacrificing cattle (such as sheep, goats, camels or cattle) and distributing the meat to those in need this day.

It is a time of joy, gratitude and generosity as Dhul Hijjah reminds Muslims of the importance of faith, sacrifice and unity. This is a month that encourages acts of devotion, kindness and charity, so Muslims seize the opportunity to strengthen their relationship with Allah, seek forgiveness and reflect on their life purpose.

Dhul Hijjah has great spiritual significance and is a time of spiritual revival for believers all over the world. This year, Saudi Arabia is calling on Muslims across the kingdom to see the new moon on the night of June 18, 2023, which could herald the date of Eid al-Adha in 2023.

“The Supreme Court wishes that anyone capable of showing interest in the matter will join the committee established in the region for this purpose,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.