Eid-ul-Adha 2025: What it means, why it matters, and when it will be celebrated

As the Islamic world prepares for one of its most sacred periods, Saudi Arabia has issued a moon-sighting call that will determine the dates for both Hajj 2025 and Eid-ul-Adha.

The spiritual pilgrimage, known as Hajj, is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, if the crescent moon marking Dhul Hijjah 1446 is sighted on Tuesday, May 27.

If confirmed, Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Bakrid or the Festival of Sacrifice, will fall on Friday, June 6, 2025. If the moon is not sighted, all dates will shift forward by a day, placing Hajj from June 5 to June 10 and Eid on June 7.

This sacred journey to Mecca, undertaken by millions, represents one of the five pillars of Islam. As noted in Sahih Bukhari, the pilgrimage promises spiritual purification: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression will come back as free from sins as the day his mother bore him.”

Over 961,000 pilgrims have already arrived in Saudi Arabia, with the majority entering through airports. Mecca's Grand Mosque has ramped up capacity and safety protocols, enabling up to 107,000 Tawaf pilgrims per hour. Officials have implemented high-tech immigration checks and multilingual support services.

To maintain safety and order, Saudi authorities have arrested 14 individuals for illegally transporting unregistered pilgrims. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and deportation, with a 10-year re-entry ban for non-citizens.

Inside the Grand Mosque, the Mataf area surrounding the Kaaba has been dedicated exclusively to circumambulation. Authorities have also warned that no pilgrim will be allowed without a valid permit.

The essence of Hajj, however, remains deeply spiritual. It is a journey of shedding ego, embracing humility, and rediscovering a profound connection with faith. As Muslims around the world prepare, the pilgrimage stands as a timely reminder — “a journey so badly needed” in an age of spiritual distraction.

Stay tuned for confirmed dates following the moon sighting by Saudi Arabia.