Riyadh – The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has officially invited all Muslims across the Kingdom to participate in the crescent moon sighting (rukyatul hilal) to determine the commencement of Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH. This crucial observation is scheduled for Sunday evening, 17 May 2026 (corresponding to the 29th of Dhul-Qadah 1447 AH according to the Court’s judicial tracking).
Dhul-Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, highly anticipated worldwide as it hosts the sacred Hajj pilgrimage rituals and the global celebration of Eid al-Adha.
Understanding the Calendar Discrepancy
An interesting aspect of this upcoming moonsighting is the minor variance between the pre-calculated civil calendar and the official judicial decree. According to the Supreme Court’s announcement, the date tracking stands as follows:
Based on Supreme Court Ruling No. 206/H: Sunday, 17 May 2026, is officially treated as the 29th of Dhul-Qadah 1447 AH. This follows the court’s prior decision that the preceding month of Shawwal completed a full 30 days, shifting the 1st of Dhul-Qadah to 19 April 2026.
Based on the Calculated Ummul Qura Calendar: Sunday is pre-calculated as the 30th of Dhul-Qadah 1447 AH.
Consequently, Sunday evening’s observation serves as the final arbiter to determine whether the month of Dhul-Qadah will conclude at 29 days or be completed as 30 days (istikmal).
Reporting Procedures and Call to Action
In its official statement, the Supreme Court urged anyone who spots the crescent moon—whether by the naked eye or through optical aids such as telescopes or binoculars—to immediately report their sighting. Witnesses are requested to approach their nearest local court to register their testimony or contact the nearest official center for logistical assistance in reaching a court.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court expressed its hope that individuals possessing astronomical expertise or keen observational skills would actively join the official regional sighting committees. Such participation is highly encouraged as a form of mutual cooperation (ta’awun) in righteousness and piety, ultimately serving the wider Muslim Ummah.
Visibility Analysis: High Probability of an Easy Sighting
For moonsighters and astronomy enthusiasts, the prospects for Sunday evening look exceptionally promising. According to the global crescent moon visibility map (HilalMap) for the birth of the Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH crescent, Saudi Arabia and the vast majority of the Middle East are positioned firmly within the green zone.
This green indicator signifies that the crescent moon will have attained sufficient altitude and illumination above the horizon after sunset. Barring any adverse weather conditions like heavy dust storms or thick cloud cover, the new moon should be clearly discernible to the naked eye without the absolute necessity of high-powered optical equipment. Therefore, it is expected that 1 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH will correspond to Monday, 18 May 2026. As a result, the pinnacle of Hajj, the Wukuf in Arafah will be on Tuesday, 26 May and Eid-ul-Adha will be on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.
Official Source
The announcement was issued on Friday, 15 May 2026, and broadcast extensively by the official state press, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The original Arabic text and official decree can be accessed directly via the following link: https://www.spa.gov.sa/N2586437.
We eagerly await the official verdict from the Saudi Supreme Court on Sunday night, which will definitively establish the dates for the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha 1447 AH.
MashaAllah, very informative and timely update about the Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH moonsighting. It is always helpful to see clear guidance and visibility expectations shared for the Muslim community around the world. May Allah bless everyone with a peaceful and spiritually uplifting Hajj season.