Senior astronomer: Morocco and wider Muslim world likely to share May 27 Eid al-Adha date

A Moroccan astronomer said Eid al-Adha is expected to fall on May 27 this year, based on calculations indicating favourable conditions for the sighting of the Dhu al-Hijjah crescent in the kingdom.

Abdelhafid Bani, an engineer and member of the Islamic Crescent Observation Project, said the lunar crescent marking the start of the Islamic month is likely to be visible on the evening of May 17, corresponding to the 29th day of Dhu al-Qi’dah.

“At sunset, the age of the crescent will reach 23 hours and 23 minutes,” Bani said, noting that the lunar conjunction is expected to occur earlier that day at 21:01 Rabat time.

He added that the moon is projected to remain visible in the sky for about one hour and 19 minutes after sunset, conditions that typically allow for clear observation with the naked eye.

Based on these parameters, Bani said the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah is expected to fall on May 18, placing Eid al-Adha, observed on the 10th day of the month, on Wednesday, May 27.

The calculations also point to a rare alignment across regions. Bani said the holiday is likely to be observed on the same date in Morocco and across much of the Muslim world, including Saudi Arabia and countries in the Middle East.

He said crescent visibility is expected to be impossible in parts of the Middle East on May 16, as the lunar conjunction will occur after sunset, meaning many countries are likely to complete a 30-day Dhu al-Qi’dah.

“That would lead to a unified start of Dhu al-Hijjah on May 18,” he said, placing the Day of Arafat on May 26 and Eid al-Adha the following day.

Islamic months follow a lunar calendar and traditionally begin with the physical sighting of the crescent moon, though astronomical calculations are widely used to anticipate dates.

In Morocco, the official confirmation is made by religious authorities following crescent observation, meaning the final date of Eid al-Adha remains subject to formal announcement.