The Crescent for the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah 1444 was sighted on Sunday the 18th June, 2023 according to Saudi Arabia, thus today Monday 19th June, 2023 marks the beginning of Dhul Hijjah.

Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the holiest months of the Islamic year with two special events; not only is this the month during which the annual Hajj pilgrimage takes place, but also the month of the blessed day of Eid al-Adha.

Subsequent to the Crescent been sighted, the pilgrimage will start June 26 and the day of Arafa will be on June 27, 2023. The Day of Arafah is on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah and is considered the most important day of Hajj. It is said that Pilgrims leave for the plains of Arafah just after dawn and spend the entire day standing (or sitting) around the Mount of Mercy, asking Allah for forgiveness and making supplications.

Muslims who are not performing Hajj this year are to celebrate the Eid Al-Adha on Wednesday June 28, 2023.

Eid al-Adha  is the second of two great Muslim festivals, the other being Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Adha marks the culmination of the hajj (pilgrimage) rites at Minā, Saudi Arabia, near Mecca, but is celebrated by Muslims throughout the world. As with Eid al-Fitr, it is distinguished by the performance of communal prayer (ṣalāt) at daybreak on its first day.