The Qatar Calendar House has issued its latest astronomical projections, placing the first day of Eid Al-Adha on June 17. While the official confirmation rests with the moon-sighting committee in Saudi Arabia, these calculations provide the first concrete timeline for the upcoming Hajj season.
The announcement shifts the focus toward mid-June, ending speculation over potential dates. Astronomers at the Qatar Calendar House base this projection on the lunar cycle and the expected birth of the new crescent moon for the month of Dhul-Hijjah.
For residents and travelers, the date carries significant weight. It marks the start of the four-day festival, typically accompanied by public holidays across the Gulf. Companies and government offices generally align their operational schedules with these astronomical windows, though the final word remains subject to the physical sighting of the moon.
The sighting committee in Saudi Arabia typically convenes on the 29th day of the preceding month, Dhul-Qa’dah. If the crescent is spotted then, the calendar follows the committee’s declaration. If not, the month extends by a day, pushing the start of Eid Al-Adha to June 18.
This year’s timing aligns with the peak of the summer heat in the region. As families plan their Qurbani and travel arrangements, the projection serves as a necessary benchmark for logistics.
While the Qatar Calendar House remains a trusted authority for these calculations, the Islamic lunar calendar maintains its traditional reliance on visual confirmation. Until the formal announcement from the moon-sighting committees in late June, these dates remain a highly reliable, yet technically provisional, roadmap for the month ahead.
