Saudi Arabia declares Eid-ul-Azha on Sept 1

Saudi Arabia's High Judicial Court has announced that, based on confirmed sightings of the new moon crescent on Tuesday, the first day of Eid-ul-Azha 1438 will be Friday, September 1.

Indonesia, Jordan, and Malaysia had also announced the same.

Bangladesh, Pakistan and India are also sighting the moon on Tuesday, which for them is the 29th day of the Dhu al-Qidah lunar calendar. For Saudi Arabia, August 22 corresponds to the 30th of Dhu al-Qidah.

The Eid-ul-Azha is Islam's holiest festival celebrated annually around the world and is an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries.

Eid-ul-Azha in Arabic literally means "festival of the sacrifice", and for Muslims it commemorates the day when prophet Abraham was going to sacrifice his son but was instructed by God to offer an animal instead.

Eid-ul-Azha is also the third day of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Confirmed September 1:
•    Indonesia
•    Jordan
•    Malaysia
•    Turkey
•    Saudi Arabia
•    Oman
•    Egypt
•    South Africa