The Zil Hajj 2027 crescent moon sighting is expected on the evening of Thursday, 6 May 2027, marking the start of Dhul Hijjah 1448 AH. Based on the Umm al-Qura calendar, 1 Dhul Hijjah falls on Friday, 7 May, placing Eid al-Adha 2027 on Sunday, 16 May.
Official confirmation depends on regional moon sighting committees, and dates may shift by a day across countries.
When Is the Zil Hajj 2027 Moon Sighting Expected?
The astronomical new moon (conjunction) occurs on 6 May 2027 at 11:00 UT. Moon sighting committees across the Muslim world will attempt to spot the crescent that evening.
According to the Moonsighting Committee Worldwide, the crescent will be difficult to spot on 6 May, visible with difficulty only in parts of North America. By the evening of 7 May, it should be easily visible across most of the world.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Crescent sighting night | Thursday, 6 May 2027 |
| 1 Dhul Hijjah 1448 AH | Friday, 7 May 2027 |
| Day of Arafah (9 Dhul Hijjah) | Saturday, 15 May 2027 |
| Eid al-Adha (10 Dhul Hijjah) | Sunday, 16 May 2027 |
These dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar used by Saudi Arabia. Countries relying on local sighting may observe Eid one day later, on Monday, 17 May.
Country-by-Country Moon Sighting Updates
Most Gulf and calculation-based countries expect to confirm the crescent alongside Saudi Arabia on 6 May, placing Eid al-Adha on Sunday, 16 May. South and Southeast Asian countries that rely on local sighting typically confirm a day later, pushing Eid to Monday, 17 May or beyond.
Saudi Arabia and the Gulf
The Saudi Supreme Court will call for sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent on the evening of 29 Dhul Qadah, expected to be Thursday, 6 May 2027. If confirmed, 1 Dhul Hijjah begins on Friday, 7 May.
The UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman typically follow Saudi Arabia’s announcement within hours. Eid al-Adha across the Gulf is expected on Sunday, 16 May.
- See the Saudi Arabia Eid al-Adha 2027 holiday guide for public and private sector break details.
- See the Qatar Eid al-Adha 2027 holiday guide for public and private sector break details.
South Asia: Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh
Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh each rely on independent local moon sighting committees rather than following Saudi Arabia’s announcement. All three typically confirm the Dhul Hijjah crescent a day after Saudi Arabia because the moon sets earlier and is harder to spot further east.
Expected 1 Dhul Hijjah across the three countries is Saturday, 8 May, with Eid al-Adha expected Monday, 17 May.
- Pakistan: the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meets in Karachi to sight the Zil Hajj crescent independently. See the Day of Arafah 2027 in Pakistan guide.
- India: local Hilal committees across different states verify the sighting. Travelers heading to Delhi or Mumbai for the holiday should book early.
- Bangladesh: the National Moon Sighting Committee makes its own announcement. See the Day of Arafah 2027 in Bangladesh guide.
Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei
Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Malaysia’s Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal use a combination of calculation and observation. These countries may observe Eid on 17 or 18 May depending on local crescent visibility.
Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur often see high travel demand around these dates.
Turkey and the Balkans
Turkey’s Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs) uses its own pre-calculated astronomical calendar, computing Islamic dates in advance rather than relying on physical moon sighting. Expected Eid al-Adha is Sunday, 16 May, aligning with Saudi Arabia.
Bosnia, Kosovo, and several Balkan countries follow Turkey’s announcement.
Expected Dates Summary
| Country / Region | Expected 1 Dhul Hijjah | Expected Eid al-Adha |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Fri, 7 May | Sun, 16 May |
| UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman | Fri, 7 May | Sun, 16 May |
| Turkey & Balkans | Fri, 7 May | Sun, 16 May |
| Pakistan, India, Bangladesh | Sat, 8 May | Mon, 17 May |
| Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei | Sat, 8 May | Mon, 17 May* |
*Indonesia is projected to observe Eid on 17 May. Isolated communities with stricter local visibility requirements may observe on 18 May.
Why Dates Differ Between Countries
The Dhul Hijjah crescent is not visible everywhere on the same evening. Geographic location, the moon’s age at sunset, and atmospheric conditions all affect whether the thin crescent can be spotted.
- Saudi Arabia’s western horizon typically offers favorable conditions for early sighting.
- South Asian countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) are further east, where the crescent sets earlier and is harder to observe on the first possible evening.
- Some countries (Turkey, parts of Southeast Asia) use astronomical calculations rather than physical observation, which can align their dates with Saudi Arabia.
Weather and cloud cover on the sighting evening also play a role — overcast skies can delay confirmation by a day even when the crescent is astronomically present.
What the Dhul Hijjah Moon Sighting Means for Travelers
Hajj Pilgrims
The Dhul Hijjah moon sighting sets the Hajj 2027 timeline in motion. Pilgrims must arrive in Makkah before the 8th of Dhul Hijjah (expected 14 May), when the rites begin.
Search for flights to Jeddah or flights to Madinah on Wego to compare fares across airlines like Saudia and flynas.
Eid al-Adha Travelers
Eid al-Adha triggers multi-day public holidays across the Gulf, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, making it one of the busiest travel windows of the year. Book flights and hotels early to avoid the surge in fares.
Popular Eid getaways from the Gulf include Istanbul, Cairo, and Kuala Lumpur. From South Asia, Dubai and Bangkok are top picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Zil Hajj 2027 moon been sighted?
Not yet. The crescent sighting attempt is expected on the evening of Thursday, 6 May 2027. Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court will announce the result that evening, and other countries will follow with their own confirmations.
When is Eid al-Adha 2027?
Expected on Sunday, 16 May 2027 in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, and Monday, 17 May in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. See the full Eid al-Adha 2027 date guide for details.
Why does India celebrate Eid one day after Saudi Arabia?
India relies on local moon sighting committees rather than following Saudi Arabia’s announcement. The crescent is typically visible in South Asia one evening after it’s first sighted in the Arabian Peninsula.
What is the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee?
Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is the official body responsible for moon sighting in Pakistan. It convenes before each Islamic month to determine whether the crescent has been sighted, and its announcement sets the dates for the entire country.
Sources
- Moonsighting Committee Worldwide — Dhul Hijjah 1448 Visibility
- Al-Habib — Global Islamic Calendar 2027
- HilalGuide — Eid al-Adha 2027 Moon Sighting Predictions
- Saudi Press Agency — Supreme Court Moon Sighting Protocol
- Umm Al-Qura — Annual Reference 1448 AH
- Moon Sighting UK — Visibility Maps for 1448 AH
- PublicHolidays.co.id — Idul Adha 2027 Indonesia
- Turkey Travel Planner — Kurban Bayramı Dates
- Van Gent — The Islamic Calendar of Turkey (Diyanet Rules)
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
