By our Reporter
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has announced that Monday, May 18, 2026, marks the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar.
The announcement means that pilgrims performing the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage will observe the Day of Arafat on Tuesday, May 26, corresponding to Dhul-Hijjah 9, while Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 27.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Day of Arafat remains the spiritual peak of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, during which millions of Muslims gather at Mount Arafat near the holy city of Mecca for prayers and reflection.
Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant celebrations in Islam, commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God before a ram was provided as a substitute sacrifice, according to Islamic tradition.
The festival is traditionally marked by special congregational prayers, family gatherings, and the slaughtering of livestock, with the meat shared among relatives, neighbours and the less privileged.
The announcement comes as Saudi authorities intensify preparations for the 2026 Hajj season, with operational plans already in place to manage crowds and ease the movement of pilgrims arriving from different parts of the world.
