France Awaits Official Announcement of Eid al-Adha Date

It would only take the observation of the new crescent moon to determine the date of the celebration of the Eid al-Adha feast, also known as Eid el-Kebir.

Sunday, August 11, is the date that supporters of the unified Muslim calendar, particularly the Turks, are retaining for the celebration of this great feast. This is Turkey’s position. For its part, the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), which does not share the unified Muslim calendar, will likely announce the date of Eid al-Adha for August 1. As for Saudi Arabia, the date could be set for Sunday, August 11 or Monday, August 12. A little closer to the Saudi Arabian position, Morocco will likely celebrate the festival on August 12 and 13, 2019.

Pending clarification from the Saudi authorities on August 1, the Hajj will be held from August 9 to 14, 2019, in Mecca. Indeed, the feast of sacrifice is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Hijri calendar. It is set the day after the gathering of millions of pilgrims on Mount Arafat, in Mecca, during the great pilgrimage, or Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam.