The wait is over. After watching the skies through the evening of Sunday, 17 May 2026, the UAE Council for Fatwa officially confirmed the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon. The Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement is in: Arafat Day falls on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, followed by Eid Al Adha beginning Wednesday, 27 May.
For 9.4 million UAE residents, that announcement converts a six-day window from astronomical projection into a confirmed public holiday block. This guide breaks down the full picture of the Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement — who issued it, when, what it confirms, what it triggers, and how to verify it at source.
26 May 2026
Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement: The Headline
On the evening of Sunday, 17 May 2026, the UAE Council for Fatwa issued the formal Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement, confirming that the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH had been sighted. The announcement was distributed by WAM (Emirates News Agency) citing the Council’s review of sighting reports submitted by specialists, expert astronomers, and approved observatories supervised by the country’s official sighting network.
How the Moon Was Sighted: The Story Behind the Announcement
The crescent of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH was observed under exceptionally favourable conditions. The International Astronomy Center reported that the crescent was successfully photographed during daylight hours from Abu Dhabi, captured by the Khatm Astronomical Observatory at 9:20 AM UAE time on Sunday, 17 May 2026. At the moment of capture, the moon was 7.8 degrees away from the sun and approximately 9 hours old — a remarkably clear early observation.
That daylight photograph was a strong leading indicator. Confirmation followed at sunset when official sighting committees across the UAE submitted their reports to the Council for Fatwa, which convened its evening session and issued the binding ruling shortly thereafter.
Who Issued the Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement?
The UAE Council for Fatwa is the federal Islamic authority that determines the start of every Hijri month in the UAE. Operating under the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), its rulings carry the force of law for holiday scheduling, religious observance, and the official Hijri calendar across all seven emirates.
The Council convenes on the 29th of each Islamic month at sunset, evaluates sighting reports from approved observatories and naked-eye witnesses, applies Islamic jurisprudence, and issues a binding ruling the same evening. For Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH, that session took place on Sunday, 17 May 2026 — corresponding to the 29th of Dhul Qa’dah.
The Official Holiday Block Now Locked In
With the Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement now issued, the four-day public holiday block under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 is automatically activated. The block applies uniformly to government employees, private sector workers, free zone employees (including DIFC and ADGM), and domestic workers under Federal Law No. 9 of 2017.
Total continuous time off: six days from Tuesday 26 May through Sunday 31 May 2026. Adding Monday, 25 May as annual leave extends this to a nine-day stretch from Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May.
Regional Alignment: GCC and Wider Muslim World
The Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement aligned with parallel rulings from Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court, Oman’s Main Committee for Moon-sighting, and similar bodies in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. Across the GCC and beyond, Eid Al Adha 2026 will be observed on Wednesday, 27 May, with the Day of Arafah — when Hajj pilgrims stand at Mount Arafat — on Tuesday, 26 May.
This regional alignment is significant for cross-border travel, family reunions, and Hajj logistics. Hajj pilgrims standing on Mount Arafat on 26 May will be observed simultaneously by Muslims fasting at home across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the wider GCC.
What the Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement Triggers
The moment WAM publishes the Council’s ruling, a cascade of operational changes flow through the UAE economy. Within 24–48 hours of the announcement:
Where to Verify the Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement
To read the announcement at source rather than relying on news coverage, the official channels are:
What This Means for You: Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement made?
The UAE Council for Fatwa issued the official announcement on the evening of Sunday, 17 May 2026, after reviewing crescent moon sighting reports submitted by approved observatories and expert observers across the country. The announcement was distributed nationally via WAM (Emirates News Agency).
What date did the Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement confirm?
Arafat Day falls on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 (9th Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH). Eid Al Adha begins the next day, Wednesday, 27 May 2026, and the four-day public holiday block runs Tuesday 26 May through Friday 29 May.
Who issues the Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement?
The UAE Council for Fatwa, the federal Islamic authority operating under the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), issues the announcement. Its rulings carry the force of law for holiday scheduling. The announcement is distributed through WAM, the UAE Government Portal (u.ae), MOHRE, and Awqaf channels.
How was the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon sighted in 2026?
The crescent was photographed during daylight hours from the Khatm Astronomical Observatory in Abu Dhabi at 9:20 AM UAE time on Sunday 17 May 2026. The moon was 7.8 degrees from the sun and approximately 9 hours old. Confirmation from sighting committees across the country followed at sunset, leading to the Council for Fatwa’s formal announcement that evening.
Where can I read the Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement at source?
The primary source is WAM (Emirates News Agency) at wam.ae. The announcement is also published on the UAE Government Portal (u.ae), the MOHRE website (mohre.gov.ae), and through the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (awqaf.gov.ae).
Does the Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement align with Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC?
Yes. Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court, Oman’s Main Committee for Moon-sighting, and the relevant authorities in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain all confirmed the same dates: Arafat Day on Tuesday 26 May 2026 and Eid Al Adha beginning Wednesday 27 May 2026. Turkey and Tunisia also align.
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