Eid al-Adha Moon Sighting 2019 in US, Canada, UK, Europe: Dhul Hijjah Month Begins, Bakrid to be Celebrated on August 11

02 Aug, 00:09 (IST)

Dhul Hijjah Month Begins, Bakrid to be Celebrated on August 11

The hilal committees of Muslim diaspora in European and North American nations has relied on astronomical data, naked-eye sighting and the announcement from Saudi Arabia to finalise August 11 as the date of Eid al-Adha celebration.

01 Aug, 17:55 (IST)

Hilal Committee Announcement Expected After KSA Finalises Date

The Hilal Committees in the western nations are likely to issue an announcement after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia finalises on the date of Eid al-Adha festival.

London. August 1: Muslims across the world have their eyes set on the dates for Eid al-Adha celebrations. The date - either August 11 or August 12 - would be confirmed based on the sighting of Dhul Hijjah moon today. The respective hilal committees in the United States and Canada, along with United Kingdom, Germany and other parts of Europe will issue an announcement today. Stay tuned here for the live news updates on the crescent sighting.

Today is the 29th date of Dhul Qadah -- the preceding Islamic month -- in most parts of the world. If the crescent is sighted today, the month of Dhul Hijjah will begin. It is on the 10th date of the latter when the festival of Eid al-Adha is celebrated. Check Eid al-Adha Moon Sighting Announcement in Saudi Arabia, UAE & Other Middle East Countries.

In case of the moon being seen, Bakra Eid, as the festival is referred to in some parts of the world, will be observed on August 11. If the crescent remains unseen, then the festival would be celebrated on August 12.

All eyes are set on the announcement to be issued by the Saudi Grand Mosque in Mecca, whose word is considered to be the most credible for Muslim diaspora in the West.

The official announcement by Saudi Arabia is expected shortly after namaz-e-maghrib or the evening prayers. Subsequently, the neighbouring nations of UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman and Iraq will also rule on the sighting of Dhul Hijjah crescent.

As part of Eid al-Adha observance, financially able Muslim households are mandated to sacrifice cattle and distribute its meat among their neighbours, relatives and poor, while retaining a portion for themselves.