The Dhu Al Hijjah moon sighting in Dubai is happening this Sunday, May 17, 2026, and Jebel Nazwa Trail is the one place to be. The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) has officially opened the crescent observation event to the public, giving residents a front-row seat to the traditional process that confirms the start of Dhu Al Hijjah and, ultimately, the date of Eid Al Adha 2026.
The Dhu Al Hijjah Moon Sighting in Dubai and Where to Watch It
The event, titled Crescent Observation of Dhul Hijjah, will be held at the Jebel Nazwa Trail. Doors open at 5pm and the programme runs until the completion of the official moon sighting after sunset.
It is a community-facing event, which means residents do not need to be astronomers or scholars to attend. IACAD has positioned this as a public participation opportunity for anyone who wants to witness the traditional process behind how Islamic months are confirmed.
Dr. Hamad Mohammed Saleh, Head of the Timings and Crescent Observation Section at IACAD and Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Crescent Sighting Committee, has confirmed that the event is part of the department’s commitment to reviving Islamic rituals and keeping the community connected to their religious heritage.
What the Astronomers Are Saying About the Crescent
Those conditions make the Dhu Al Hijjah moon sighting in Dubai this year one of the more promising in recent memory, with visibility expected even without optical equipment under clear skies.
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomical Society and a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, has confirmed that the new crescent moon for the month of Dhu Al Hijjah is forecast to be born at exactly 12:01am UAE time on Sunday, May 17. By sunset that evening, the moon is expected to set approximately 58 minutes after the sun, sitting at an altitude of around 10 degrees above the horizon and carrying an age of nearly 19 hours.
Those are highly favourable astronomical conditions. The crescent should be visible to the naked eye under clear skies, which makes Jebel Nazwa, with its open elevation and unobstructed western horizon, the ideal vantage point for the sighting.
The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology, affiliated with the University of Sharjah, has separately confirmed the same prediction. Both authorities are aligned.
Eid Al Adha Dates and What Comes Next
If the crescent is officially confirmed on the evening of May 17, Monday, May 18, 2026, will mark the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah 1447 AH.
From there, the Hajj calendar falls into place:
Arafat Day: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Eid Al Adha: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Hajj Season: Expected May 25 to June 30, 2026
If the crescent is not sighted on May 17, Dhu Al Qa’dah will complete its full 30 days and Dhu Al Hijjah would then begin on Tuesday, May 19, pushing Eid Al Adha to Thursday, May 28. Official dates will only be confirmed following the announcement from authorities after the sighting.
Eid Al Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah and commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son before a divine command replaced the act with the sacrifice of a ram. It is one of the most significant occasions in the Islamic calendar.
Mark Your Calendar for May 17
Whether you are heading to Jebel Nazwa Trail for the experience, following the official announcement at home, or already planning your Eid Al Adha weekend, Sunday, May 17 is the date that sets everything in motion.
The event is free, open to the community, and starts at 5pm. Get there before sunset and watch Dubai do what it does every year: look up, sight the crescent, and officially welcome one of the most important months in the Islamic year.
Event Details
- Event: Crescent Observation of Dhul Hijjah
- Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
- Venue: Jebel Nazwa Trail, Dubai
- Time: 5:00pm until after sunset
- Organiser: Dubai Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (IACAD)
- Admission: Open to the public
Cover Image: AI-Generated for Illustration Purposes
