Eid Al Adha will most likely fall on Friday, 31 July. The occurrence of the holiday is based on astronomical calculations regarding the moon phase. The Sharjah Centre for Space and Astronomy is predicting that the Dhu Al Hijjah 1441 crescent will likely be born Monday, 20 July at 9:33 pm local time UAE and will be seen the evening of 21 July. The following day, 22 July, is the beginning of Dhu Al Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar, meaning “the Month of the Pilgrimage.” Eid Al Adha falls on the 10th day of that month; thus making 31 July the first day of the holiday.
If, however, the crescent is spotted on 20 July, then Eid Al Adha would begin one day earlier on 30 July. The final decision rests with the UAE government. In the UAE, Eid Al Adha is typically celebrated as a 3 day public holiday for government and private sector workers. The holiday has been set for 31 July, 1 August and 2 August.
This year’s celebration may differ from other years due to the coronavirus outbreak. It will likely be more home-based; discouraging large crowds.
Eid Al Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to Allah.