UAE Fatwa Council announces Dhul Hijjah crescent to be observed on May 17
Sighting of Dhul Hijjah crescent moon On the evening of Sunday, May 17, 2026, the Emirates Council for Fatwa announced it.
According to the council, the crescent sighting will take place in collaboration with national observatories and centres located across the UAE including; Khatm Sighting (in cooperation with International Astronomy Centre), Dubai Sighting (Dubai Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department) and Sharjah Sighting(Sharjah Space And Astronomy Centre). They will be God — and the process in question would be carried out through project management best practices and cutting-edge technological tools.
Dhu al-Hijjah begins on Monday, May 18 — if the new moon is spotted; otherwise Dhu al-Qadah will finish its full month of 30 days and June's Islamic month will begin from May 19.
It will also determine dates for significant Islamic holidays, like Arafah Day and Eid al Adha.
Dhul Hijjah is one of the most revered months in Islamic calendar, corresponding to Hajj pilgrimage held at Makkah and Eid al Adha festival. The first ten days are especially blessed with more worship and devotion.
The tenth day is on Eid al-Adha, which represents the climax of all Hajj rites.
As residents eagerly awaited the long Eid Al Adha break, UAE had released dates for public sector employees earlier. While the holiday will officially run from Monday, May 25 up until Friday, May 29 in 2026 when counted with the weekends (Sat/Sun), it could provide employees a nine-day extended absence instead.
On the other side, employees of Sharjah government and workers in private educational institutions will enjoy up to 10 days off as their May weekend combined with the Arafat Day holidays together with Eid Al Adha vacation reached three days. The break will start from 25th May, while post that work resumes on June 1.
When is Eid Al Adha?
According to astronomical predictions by the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space sciences and Technology attached with the University of Sharjah, the first day of Eid will be on May 27.
One of the greatest mistakes in making this post is the originality on exact dates of Islamic months which can only be officially declared when moon sighted.
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