The new moon for Dhul Hijjah will be born on May 17 at 12:01 AM UAE time, according to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society. He said it is very likely that the first day of the month will be confirmed as Monday, May 18, with the Day of Arafah on Tuesday, May 26, and Eid Al-Adha beginning at sunrise on Wednesday, May 27. However, the International Astronomical Centre notes that the astronomical new moon, or conjunction, occurs on May 16 at 20:00 UT, a one-minute difference that shifts the date in UAE local time.
On May 16, the moon cannot be seen anywhere, but on May 17, it may be easily seen in Northern Africa, Europe and the Americas. Telescope sightings may be possible from parts of East Asia, southern Africa and South America, while naked-eye sightings could be possible in parts of Central and West Asia, North Africa and large parts of the Americas. The Arabian Peninsula is not listed as a region of easy visibility, raising questions about whether Saudi Arabia or the UAE will sight the crescent.
Muslims around the world will keep an eye on moon sightings in Saudi Arabia, whose announcement is closely followed globally because the country is home to Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina. Some countries and communities rely on local moon sightings instead of Saudi Arabia's announcement. In the UK, weather and visibility conditions can affect whether the crescent moon is seen, meaning some Muslim communities may begin Eid celebrations on different dates.
Dhul Hijjah is the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar and is considered one of the holiest months in Islam because it includes the Hajj pilgrimage, the Day of Arafah and Eid Al-Adha. The month begins only after the new crescent moon is officially sighted by Islamic authorities. Eid al-Adha is held around the 10th to the 13th days of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Islamic Relief has announced leadership changes, with Nadeem Baig appointed as interim CEO from October 2025. Nadeem is the Managing Director of HAD, a division of Islamic Relief Worldwide, and brings extensive experience from his previous role at the General Medical Council, where he managed strategic relationships with Chief Medical Officers and senior leaders for nearly a decade. He also served as UK Director of Islamic Help, engaging with international NGOs and playing a key role in fundraising and media activities.
Admitted as a solicitor in 2000, Nadeem spent nearly eight years as a Partner at a law firm specializing in employment, regulatory and charity law. He has published papers, including in the Modern Law Review, and chapters in books. With expertise in Learning and Development, he combines Islamic principles with modern techniques and has designed and delivered training for nearly three decades.
Nadeem is a Consultant Coach, qualified at ILM Level 5 in Effective Coaching and Mentoring and ILM Level 7 in Executive and Senior Leadership Coaching. He was Chair of the Independent Advisory Group for the Professional Standards Department of West Midlands Police for four years and received recognition for 'Outstanding Work'. Adnan bin Hammad joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK and worked in multiple roles over ten years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading digital fundraising growth.
He moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014 and has held roles that helped grow Islamic Relief's global digital footprint into new geographic territories. Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University and has completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.