Saudi Arabia to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on May 27, Hajj on May 26

Bangladesh typically marks the festival a day after Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia will celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on May 27, a Wednesday, following the sighting of the crescent moon signalling the start of Zil Hajj, the last month of the Islamic calendar.

With the sighting of the new moon, Sunday marked the final day of the Islamic month of Zilqad in the Kingdom, as reported by Gulf News and Khaleej Times.

Consequently, Zil Hajj will officially begin on Monday, May 18.

According to Islamic tradition, the peak of the annual Hajj pilgrimage -- the Day of Arafah -- takes place on the ninth day of Zil Hajj, which falls on May 26.

The Eid of sacrifice will be observed the following day in Saudi Arabia.

The development sets off the timeline for major religious observances for Muslims globally.

Following Saudi Arabia's confirmation, several countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Tunisia, also announced that their Zil Hajj month begins on Monday, scheduling Eid for May 27.

Turkey, which determines its Islamic calendar through astronomical calculations rather than physical moon sightings, had already mapped out the same dates.

In accordance with regional conventions, Bangladesh typically marks the festival one day after Saudi Arabia.

The National Moon Sighting Committee will finalise and announce the official date for the country after a meeting.