India, Bangladesh, Brunei, South Africa To Observe Eid Al-Adha A Day Later Than Most Muslim Nations

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Dubai: While most Arab and Muslim countries are preparing to celebrate Eid Al-Adha on Wednesday, four countries — India, Bangladesh, Brunei and South Africa — have announced that the festival will instead be observed on Thursday due to differences in moon-sighting decisions marking the start of Dhul Hijjah.

Religious authorities in the four countries confirmed that Dhul Hijjah began on Tuesday, May 19, placing the Day of Arafat on Wednesday, May 27, and Eid Al-Adha on Thursday, May 28.

Meanwhile, more than 28 Arab and Islamic countries aligned their Eid dates with Saudi Arabia, where Eid Al-Adha will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 27. Countries following the Saudi announcement include the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan and Malaysia, along with Muslim communities in the United Kingdom and the United States.

The variation in dates is linked to long-standing differences in how Islamic countries determine the beginning of lunar months. Some nations depend mainly on traditional moon sightings with the naked eye, while others also use astronomical calculations and local visibility data.

Astronomers say these differences are common and occur almost every year because moon visibility can vary from one region to another depending on geography, weather conditions and the methods adopted by religious authorities.