Rare Daytime Moon Sighting Marks Start of Zilqad 1447

An extraordinary astronomical event has marked the beginning of the Islamic month of Zilqad for the Hijri year 1447, as the new crescent moon was sighted in broad daylight in the United Arab Emirates.

According to the International Astronomical Center, the crescent was photographed at around 10:00 a.m. local time on Saturday. Astronomer Mohammad Odeh captured the historic image, making it a rare and notable observation.

Based on this sighting, astronomers have also provided projections for the upcoming Islamic month of Zilhaj and the festival of Eid al-Adha. The observation has effectively initiated the process of determining key dates for the festival across the Middle East.

Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomical Society, stated that according to astronomical calculations, Eid al-Adha in 2026 is expected to begin on Wednesday, May 27. Accordingly, the Day of Arafat—considered the most significant day of the Hajj pilgrimage—may fall on Tuesday, May 26.

In the UAE, Eid al-Adha is typically accompanied by a four-day public holiday. However, when combined with weekend breaks, the total holiday period could extend up to nine days, officials indicated.