Key keywords: Dhul Hijjah moon sighting 2024, Saudi Arabia moon sighting announcement, Hajj 2024 dates, Eid al-Adha 2024, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Islamic calendar, Islamic lunar crescent observation, Ummah religious events, Qurbani rituals The Supreme Judicial Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia officially issued a public notice on Saturday calling on all citizens and residents across the country to look out for the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and most sacred month of the Islamic lunar calendar, on Sunday evening. The announcement marks the formal start of the annual process to confirm the timelines for the Hajj pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam, and the Eid al-Adha festival, one of the two most important religious celebrations for Muslims globally. According to Islamic jurisprudence, each lunar month lasts either 29 or 30 days, determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon. If the Dhul Hijjah crescent is sighted by credible witnesses on Sunday evening, the first day of Dhul Hijjah will be observed on Monday, meaning the Day of Arafah – the peak day of the Hajj pilgrimage when millions of pilgrims gather on the plains of Arafah near Makkah to offer supplications – will fall on June 15, with the four-day Eid al-Adha celebrations kicking off on June 16. If the moon is not sighted due to cloudy weather or other conditions, the preceding month of Dhul Qa’dah will complete its full 30-day cycle, pushing the start of Dhul Hijjah to Tuesday, the Day of Arafah to June 16, and Eid al-Adha to June 17. The council has urged anyone who sights the crescent moon to report immediately to the nearest local court or religious affairs office to register their testimony, which will be verified by a panel of religious scholars before an official announcement is made. A national press conference will be held on Sunday night after the Maghrib prayer to share the final decision with the public and the global Muslim community. This year, Saudi authorities have confirmed that over 1.8 million pilgrims from more than 160 countries are expected to participate in the Hajj, with comprehensive preparations completed across all pilgrimage sites, including upgraded infrastructure, 24/7 medical services, heatstroke prevention stations, free water distribution points, and enhanced security measures to ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees. For Muslim communities worldwide, the outcome of the moon sighting will also guide local preparations for Eid al-Adha, including the scheduling of communal prayers, Qurbani (ritual sacrifice) arrangements, and family gatherings, with many countries choosing to align their religious calendars with the announcement from Saudi Arabia.