Spot Zul Hijjah crescent to determine Eid Al Adha dates, Saudi tells residents

Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has called on Muslims throughout the kingdom to look for the crescent of the month of Zul Hijjah on Monday evening.

Determining the start of the month would establish the dates of Eid Al Adha, which is celebrated on the 10th of the month.

In its statement, the Supreme Court said Muslims needed to spot the  crescent directly or through binoculars, report to the nearest court and register their testimony, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

One of the two major festivals in Islam, Eid Al Adha is celebrated on the 10th of Zul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. It marks the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son out of faith in Allah. In commemoration of this faith, Muslims sacrifice animals and divide it into three parts: The family retains one-third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends, and neighbours; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy.