Eid Al Adha 2025: UAE slaughterhouses ready; travel deals, hotel discounts offered

Why is Mount Arafat sacred?

Also known as the Mount of Mercy, Arafat is the place where Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon to Muslims who had accompanied him for Hajj, towards the end of his life.

The Mount reaches around 70m in height. If a pilgrim is not present on the plain of Arafat on the required day, it invalidates the pilgrimage, according to social media X handle Haramain.

Saudi calls for crescent sighting

Many countries follow the Saudi crescent sighting. The Kingdom called on all Muslims and community members to report their sighting to the nearest court and register their testimony.

The sighting should be reported whether it is done through the naked eye or through aid such as binoculars.

Turn holiday into 9-day break

Eid Al Adha is predicted to fall on June 6, although official confirmation is subject to moon sighting.

This means that if you apply for annual leave from June 2 to June 4, you can enjoy a 9-day break before returning to work on Monday, June 9. You can also turn it into a 16-day vacation! For tips on how to do that, read the full report here.

Extra day off for Oman?

Just like other GCC countries, Oman has urged residents to look out for the moon on May 27.

For Omani residents, an extra day off may be in the mix, due to a decree issued in 2022. It states that if the first day of Eid falls on a Friday, it will be compensated. This means that if the moon is sighted today, Oman will get a 5-day break.

Step-by-step guide for Hajj

The faithful gearing up for the pilgrimage to Makkah can make sure that they follow these steps to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime visit:

Last 5 years’ break

Over the past 5 years, Eid Al Adha holidays went up to a 6-day break for residents when combined with the weekend. Take a look at the number of holidays announced for the festival, from 2020 to 2024:

Travel deals for Eid

Hotels are not the only ones offering a discount. If you want to use your Eid break to visit a new destination, travel agencies are selling packages for as low as Dh1,999.

The demand for Eid packages range from countries such as Kenya and Egypt to places such as Baku and Georgia.

Staycation with savings

During the upcoming holidays, exploring a different country is not the only option. Staycations are in fashion, and in lieu of Eid, hotels across the UAE are offering deals and unique offers.

30 per cent discounts on midweek stays, rates as low as Dh99, late check-out and free stay for kids are some of the tailored offers ahead of Eid. For more details on savings at hotel stays during Eid, read the report here.

Dhul Qidah crescent

As residents await a glimpse of the Dhul Hijjah moon, let’s take a look at the crescent moon of Dhul Qidah as photographed on May 26.

The moon was captured at 11.40am, by the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory of the International Astronomy Center.

Slaughterhouses ready for Eid

With Qurbani or Udhiya being a big part of the festival, many Muslims say they want to ensure the sacrifice is done in safe conditions. With health and hygiene in mind, Al Ain City Municipality’s slaughterhouses announced their readiness for Eid Al Adha.

Across 11 slaughterhouses, qualified staff have been placed, and preventive measures undertaken, they announced.

Festival of sacrifice

In the time leading up to Eid Al Adha, grocery shopping apps in UAE now have the option for residents to pre-order Qurbani, sacrificial animals. Eid Al Adha sees Muslims around the world sacrifice an animal; the meat is then typically distributed among family, friends, and those in need.

For the second year, the apps will offer Udhiya or Qurbani options, including sheep and goat of several sizes, origins, and cuts. To know more about the pricing, retailers, and donation, read the report here.

Photos: New Kiswa raised on Kaaba

Ahead of Dhul Hijjah, in preparation for Hajj, a new Kiswa was raised on the Kaaba. This cloth cover took four hours to complete; eleven cranes were used by 42 specialists to raise it. Take a look at the new Kiswa here:

Hajj preparations

How are Eid Al Adha and Hajj connected? The two fall in the same month, and some dates coincide with each other. While Eid Al Adha is observed from Dhul Hijjah 10 to 12, Hajj is performed from the eighth day of Dhul Hijjah until the 13th of the month.

Saudi Arabia is gearing up to receive pilgrims with safety measures in place including 900 ambulances, AI-assisted crowd management, and over 70 medical points. Free WiFi will also be provided for convenience at the holy sites.

Last year’s Dhul Hijjah crescent

In 2024, the crescent of the month of Dhul Hijjah was spotted in Saudi Arabia on June 6, with Eid Al Adha falling on June 16.

On June 7, 2024, at 10am UAE time, the crescent was photographed from Abu Dhabi, by Al-Khatim Astronomical Observatory. Take a look here:

From telescopes to computer predictions

Human effort and tech will combine as the historical process, carried out for hundreds of years, takes place once again. While ancestors relied on their vast knowledge of the skies to predict the moon sighting, today’s scientists harness the power of tech to create computerised predictions.

But it remains a community activity. Residents will try and spot the moon, experts will be present on observation decks, high-power telescopes will be aimed at the heavens.

Earlier this year, the country used more than 100 drones for the first time to observe the crescent Moon that signalled the beginning of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr.

Flying out for Eid?

As excitement mounts for the holy season, and all that it brings with it, some look forward to Eid Al Adha for a chance to go back home, or explore new destinations.

UAE’s flag carrier Emirates will operate 13 special flights to/from regional destinations including Amman, Dammam, Kuwait and Bahrain to meet high demand. And that’s not all, there will be 33 additional flights offered during Hajj too! For details, read the report here.

5-day holiday in some countries

With UAE residents gearing up for a 4-day break, what does the holiday look like in other GCC countries? In Qatar, residents can enjoy a break from Dhul Hijjah 9 to 13.

Kuwait also announced holidays for the public sector, which will be from June 5 to June 9, with work resuming on June 10.

Decorating animals

While faithful across the world clean and adorn their homes in preparation for Eid Al Adha, the decoration extends to animals too in some parts of the world.

Bulls have on colourful pieces and camels have patterns etched on to their fur as the animals go for display at the markets in Pakistan. Take a look here:

Eid likely dates

This year, when is the festival of sacrifice likely to fall? Astronomical predictions say that the moon is likely to be spotted today, so keep your eyes peeled towards the skies!

This means Arafat Day will likely fall on Thursday, June 5, followed by Eid Al Adha on Friday, June 6.

Prayers on Mount Arafat

Arafat Day, which falls on Dhul Hijjah 9, is considered to be the holiest day for Muslims, and pilgrims flock to Mount Arafat to offer prayers. This year, Day of Arafat will be observed on June 5 or 6 in UAE, depending on moon sighting.

Take a look at some photos of faithful, shared by Haramain on X:

Holidays for Eid

Many a time, residents eagerly look to the skies to determine the start of holy months, and also to determine the length of the break they will get.

This year, however, irrespective of when the moon is sighted, residents will get a 4-day weekend. This is because Arafat Day will be a public holiday, along with a 3-day break for Eid Al Adha.

How Eid dates are decided

If the moon is spotted on May 27, it means Dhul Hijjah will begin on May 28. Eid Al Adha will then fall on June 6.

However, if the crescent is not spotted today, Eid Al Adha will fall on June 7. The Day of Arafat is Dhul Hijjah 9, one day before Eid Al Adha begins.

Spotted crescent? Report it

What if you spot the crescent? While UAE’s moon sighting committee will gather after sunset, the crescent observation is not exclusive to them. Any UAE resident who spots the moon is urged to report it to the Crescent Sighting Committee.

Not just specialists and experts, all community members are encouraged to look out for the crescent on May 27. For how to report, read here.

Why moon sighting?

How did moon sighting come about as a practice for Muslims to mark the beginning of holy months? In a hadith, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is reported to have said: “Do not fast unless you see the (crescent) moon, do not break your fast until you see the (crescent) moon.”

In today’s world, with advanced tech, experts can use astronomical calculations to predict the beginning of these months. So why do Muslims still look to the skies for the moon sighting? Many scholars believe it is a communal obligation. Read more here.

Time to look up

Just two months after Eid Al Fitr, millions of Muslims are looking to the skies once again for the crescent sighting that will mark the beginning of the new Islamic month, Dhul Hijjah.

The sighting has great significance as it will determine Arafat day, the holiest day for Muslims, as well as the beginning of the Eid Al Adha holiday.

Anticipation runs high today, as faithful across the world prepare for the holy festival of sacrifice. Khaleej Times is your go-to source for all the latest updates, as we track official Eid holiday announcements across the world to UAE. Stay tuned!

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