Eid Al Adha 2023: Here are countries that have announced June 29 as the first day of Islamic festival

The crescent moon that signals the start of the Islamic month Dhul Hijjah has not been spotted in the following countries. Therefore, they will mark the first day of Eid Al Adha on Thursday, June 29.

The day of Arafah — considered the holiest in Islam — will be on Wednesday, June 28.

Many Islamic countries rely on local moon sightings to determine the beginning of the month of Dhul Hijjah and the celebration of Eid Al Adha. They follow their own sighting committees or organisations responsible for verifying the sighting of the crescent moon within their respective countries.

Here are all the countries that have announced Thursday as the first day of the Islamic festival so far:

1. Brunei

According to Astronomy Centre, the crescent moon that signals the start of the Islamic month Dhul Hijjah was not spotted in the sovereign state of Brunei on Sunday, so the first day of Eid Al Adha will be marked on Thursday, June 29.

2. Malaysia

The country's national news agency, Bernama, has stated that the moon has not been spotted in Malaysia. So, the first day of Eid Al Adha will be marked on June 29.

3. Indonesia

A local news agency in the Asian country has announced that the crescent moon could not be spotted. So, Indonesia will also mark the first day of Eid Al Adha on June 29.

4. Morocco

The country's news agency Maghreb Agence Presse has announced that Eid will be celebrated on Thursday, June 29. In a statement, the country's ministry said religious experts had not been able to clearly spot the moon after the Maghrib prayer on Sunday.

5. Japan

• Eid Al Adha 2023: First day of Islamic festival announced in Brunei