From the Middle East to Asia and North Africa, the majority of countries, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, Malaysia, and Indonesia, have aligned on Wednesday, May 27, as the first day of Eid al-Adha. These nations confirmed Monday, May 18, as the start of Dhul Hijjah, either through traditional moon sightings or astronomical calculations.
Tunisia was among the earliest to announce the dates, quickly followed by Turkey, which relies on a pre-calculated Islamic calendar. Morocco also confirmed a clear crescent sighting, sealing its timeline in sync with much of the Muslim world. Across Southeast Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia echoed the same schedule, ensuring a unified celebration across vast regions. But not every country is on the same page.
In India, due to the crescent moon not being visible in most parts of the country on the expected evening, Eid al-Adha 2026 will be celebrated a day later, on Thursday, May 28. A similar variation appears in Brunei, where the absence of a visible crescent pushed the start of Dhul Hijjah to May 19, resulting in Eid falling on May 28.
Despite these differences, the essence of Eid al-Adha remains unchanged. Known as the Festival of Sacrifice, it commemorates faith, devotion, and generosity. Across continents, Muslims will gather for morning prayers, share meals, and carry out charitable acts. In countries like Morocco, traditional attire and festive dishes take center stage, while in South Asia, bustling markets and family feasts define the celebrations. Meanwhile, millions of pilgrims will be completing Hajj in Mecca.
