In a big announcement, the Saudi government confirmed that the crescent moon that marks the start of Zilhaj has been seen. It marks the beginning of the last month on the Islamic lunar calendar and prepares people for Eid ul Adha, one of the most important Islamic holidays.
First Day of Zilhaj on June 7
The Saudi Supreme Court said that Friday, June 7 will be the first day of Zilhaj. Reports of seeing the moon came in from different parts of the kingdom on Thursday night, and they were believed to be true. So, Muslims in Saudi Arabia will start to observe the holy month of Zilhaj, which is very important because it is the time of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Eid ul Adha on June 16
As per the Saudi Supreme Court, Eid ul Adha will occur on Sunday, June 16. The holiday, which means “Festival of Sacrifice,” remembers how Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was willing to kill his son to obey God. For Muslims worldwide, it is a time of happiness, feasting, and giving. The ceremony involves killing animals, like sheep, goats, or cows, and giving some of the meat to less fortunate people.
Arafat Day on June 15
To honour Arafat Day on the ninth day of Zilhaj, on June 15, 2017. On this day, pilgrims gather at the plain of Arafat to pray and ask for forgiveness. It is the holiest day of the Hajj pilgrimage and a very important day spiritually because it marks the end of the Hajj rituals.
Global Observances and Preparations
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Pakistan will meet on Friday, June 7, to examine the moon for Zilhaj. If the moon exists, Pakistan’s first day of Eid ul Adha will be Monday, June 17. According to Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz, the Zilhaj moon will be born on June 6 at 5:38 PM, which means that it will be visible on June 7.
Muslims in the UK, the US, and Canada, as well as other Gulf countries, have also said they have seen the Zilhaj moon, which means they are celebrating the holy month at the same time as Saudi Arabia.
Special Arrangements for Hajj
This year, Saudi Arabia has done a lot to prepare for the Hajj pilgrimage because they expect a record number of people from all over the world to go. One way to ensure the pilgrims’ safety and comfort is to paint the roads in Arafat white. “This year’s Hajj will see a historic number of pilgrims, and we have taken many steps to ensure their safety and comfort,” a Saudi official said.
Conclusion
The first sighting of the Zilhaj moon in Saudi Arabia marks the start of a very important religious time for Muslims worldwide. There is a strong sense of devotion, sacrifice, and community among the faithful as they get ready for Hajj and Eid ul Adha. During this time, Muslims come together to celebrate their faith and traditions, think about their spiritual lives, and do acts of kindness.
