Millions of Muslims across the UK are gearing up to celebrate Eid al-Adha after Saudi Arabia officials announced the key dates.
Like many other Islamic holidays, Eid al-Adha is celebrated on different dates every year because it is based on the cycle of the moon. The date for the holiday is based upon sightings of the new crescent moon and the start of the next Islamic month, Dhul Hijah, of which Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day.
However, because of this, different countries and communities may celebrate the holiday on a different day when compared to others. In Saudi Arabia, officials sighted the crescent moon and announced Eid would be celebrated on Wednesday, June 28.
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Despite this, it's important that you check with your local mosque as they may announce a slightly different date for the UK. For example, Manchester Central Mosque announced that the crescent moon had not been sighted and provided a slightly different date.
On its website, the mosque said: "The crescent moon for Dhul Hijjah has not been sighted. Therefore the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1444 AH will begin on Tuesday 20th June 2023.
"Eid al-Adha will therefore be celebrated on Thursday 29th June 2023 (next Thursday) Insha’Allah. We will post the Eid Jamaat times in due course."
Eid al-Adha is sometimes referred to as 'Big Eid' or 'Greater Eid' to differentiate it from Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan. Instead, Eid al-Adha is its own stand-alone holiday which honours the actions of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).
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