When is Eid al-Adha? And when will Hajj 2024 begin? All you need to know

The Muslim world is gearing to celebrate Eid al-Adha this year on or around Sunday June 16, according to various astronomical calculations.

The date, however, can change depending on the beginning of the Dhu al-Hijjah month. It is expected that Saudi Arabia will call on Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the crescent moon on June 6.

Eid al-Adha begins on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah preceded by the Day of Arafat, which is expected to be observed on June 15.

During this period employees will enjoy days off to mark Eid al-Adha holiday.

Eid al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, is a major Islamic holiday celebrated worldwide where Muslims gather for prayer, perform acts of charity and sacrifice an animal, mostly sheep. On the Day of Arafat, Muslim pilgrims performing the Hajj gather on the plains of Arafat, located outside Mecca.

Hajj, which is marked during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, is the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

The pilgrimage usually takes place between the 8th and the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah and Muslims from all over the world gather in Mecca to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam.

Hajj season this year is expected to begin on June 14.