Eid al-Adha 2024: Key Dates for Muslim ’Feast of Sacrifice’ in France and Saudi Arabia

Eid Al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Hijri calendar. It usually takes place during the hajj period, the great pilgrimage to Mecca, precisely the day after the gathering of pilgrims on Mount Arafat. And Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Kebir for three days. Different from Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the month of Ramadan, Eid al-Adha commemorates the act of submission of the prophet Abraham to God, through the ritual sacrifice of a sheep. The event is celebrated by Muslims in the form of an animal sacrifice.

Saudi authorities are expected to specify the dates on May 27, on the 29th day of the month of Dhul-Qida. Dhul-Hijjah could start on May 28 or 29. Consequently, the date of Eid Al-Adha could be set for Friday, June 6 or Saturday, June 7, 2025. If Saudi Arabia announces the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah on May 28, Eid al-Adha should take place on Sunday, June 6 in most Muslim countries. However, we will have to wait for the conclusions of the visual observations of the new lunar crescent. For proponents of advance calculations like Turkey, Eid al-Adha 1446/2025 will be celebrated on June 6. The Muslim Theological Council of France (CTMF) leans towards the same date.

"Based on the most accurate astronomical data concerning the month of Dhul-Hijjah, it appears (that) the conjunction (new moon) will take place, inshallah, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 3:03 GMT (5:03 am, Paris time). The necessary conditions for observing the lunar crescent of the month of Dhul-Hijjah in the world will be met, inshallah, on the same day from 13:48 GMT (3:48 pm Paris time)," the CTMF tells Saphirnews. Consequently, the first day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah 1446H will correspond, inshallah, to Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Therefore, the celebration of Eid al-Adha 1446H will take place, inshallah, on Friday, June 6, 2025."

The Grand Mosque of Paris will, for its part, wait for the announcement from Saudi Arabia before announcing a date for the holiday at the end of May.