Dubai: Leading astronomers in the UAE have revealed the most likely dates for Eid Al Adha, which is exepcted to fall in the middle of July.
In a statement to the state news agency WAM on Wednesday, Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, director of the International Astronomy Center, said that the month of Dhu Al Hijjah 1442 AH is likely to begin on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 5.17 am.
"Seeing the crescent on that day is possible using the telescope from the Arab countries and most of the continents of Africa and Europe. It is also possible to see it with the naked eye," said Odeh.
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, had also told Gulf News that Eid Al Adha this year will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 20.
“The crescent moon for Dhu Al Hijjah is likely to form on Saturday, July 10, and so the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah will fall on July 11. Arafat Day will take place on July 19 and Eid Al Adha will be celebrated the following day, on July 20,” explained Al Jarwan.
The Islamic calendar, unlike the Gregorian one, changes on a yearly basis as it requires an authorized person or committee to make an actual sighting of the crescent moon to determine the start of each month.
However, Arafat Day is always on the 9th of Dhu Al Hijja, while Eid Al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) is celebrated by all Muslims on the 10th day of the month. Eid Al Adha marks the conclusion of the pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Haj.
The UAE Cabinet had earlier approved the official holiday for the private and public sector for 2021, within the framework of organizing the workflow in the two sectors.
The UAE’s official calendar states that residents will enjoy a public holiday on Arafat Day, as well as the three days for Eid Al Adha. So according to the expert’s predictions, UAE residents will be able to enjoy a long weekend from July 19-24.
Ramadan 2022
Al Jarwan further revealed that next year, the first day of Ramadan 2022 is most likely to take place on April 2, while adding that Eid Al Fitr will fall on May 2, 2022.
UAE residents will also have another long weekend break in 2022 as the 29th day of Ramadan will be a public holiday on Sunday, and Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal.
