Dhul Hijjah is the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar and is considered one of the holiest periods in Islam.

The month includes the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha – one of the biggest festivals in the Islamic calendar.

The start of Dhul Hijjah is determined by the sighting of a new crescent moon, which is why Muslims around the world closely follow official moon sighting announcements each year.

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on Muslims across the Kingdom to look for the crescent moon on May 17, with astronomers predicting it could be visible after sunset.

If the moon is officially sighted, Dhul Hijjah is expected to begin on May 18, placing Day of Arafah on May 26 and Eid al-Adha on May 27.

Some Muslim communities follow Saudi Arabia’s announcement, while others rely on local moon sightings, meaning Eid dates can sometimes differ between countries.