Dubai: If you have been paying attention to the calendar lately, you have probably realised that something special is almost upon us. Eid Al Adha , the second and holiest festival in Islam, is now just about two weeks away, and a quiet but unmistakable energy is beginning to build across the UAE .

For Muslim residents, whether Emirati citizens or expatriates from dozens of different countries, this period is one of deep spiritual reflection, family connection, and preparations for one of the most cherished celebrations of the year.

But before the feasts, the new clothes, and the gatherings begin, there is an important question that everyone wants answered with certainty: when exactly does Eid Al Adha officially begin?

Official Start: Moon sighting and astronomical calculations

The answer, as with all Islamic months, depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon.

Eid Al Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and the official date can only be confirmed…