Last updated on October 26th, 2025 at 11:27 pm
Two festivities in Islam are celebrated by Muslims globally, one being Eid al-Fitr and the other being Eid al-Adha. Eid-al-Adha is also called the “Sacrifice Festival” as it is this celebration is held in honour of Prophet Ibrahim’s عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ faith and obedience to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, as he was ready to sacrifice his son’s life to fulfil Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى command. The event holds extreme importance in the history of Islam.
Eid-al-Adha is observed by Muslims all around the world, gathering all the family members and relatives to play their role in celebrating the sacrifice and helping the poor. The festival is celebrated on the 10th of Zilhajj, after the completion of Hajj, which is included in the five pillars of Islam.
What is Eid al-Adha?
Eid-al-Adha, that is also known as the “Sacrifice Festival,” is one of the most important celebrations in Islam that marks the love, obedience, and faith of Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. In Islam, according to the culture and traditions, Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was ordered by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى to immolate his only son. Just as he was about to fulfil his duty, Prophet Ismail عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was replaced by a ram instead by the grace of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, thus becoming a true example of love and loyalty for all the Muslims. This whole incident is narrated in the Quran in Surah as-Saffat. Some of the verse is translated as:
When he was old enough to go about with him, he said: “O my son, I dreamt that I was sacrificing you. Consider what you think?” He replied: “Father, do as you are commanded. If God pleases, you will find me firm.”
This occasion led to the observance of Eid-al-Adha, which is celebrated by presenting the lives of animals like goats, camels, sheep, or cows to Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, thus recreating the moment. The act of sacrifice is a symbol of love, faith, and showing care by helping the poor, as the meat after sacrificing the animals is divided into three parts, out of which one-third of the meat is given out to those in need. While one-third is kept for the family and the other one-third is for the relatives and friends.
Eid al-Adha is an event that is celebrated for three days on the 10th of Zilhajj. It is the last month of the Islamic calendar, and the Hajj performance takes place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Normally, the festive day begins with the performance of Eid prayer, and then after that, the animal is sacrificed. Then the people get dressed perfectly to meet with their family members, relatives, and friends, and enjoy their day by spreading love and care. The meat is accordingly distributed among the people, along with those in need.
Eid-ul-Adha is not only a celebration held in honour of Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, but it is the day that reminds the Muslims to remain faithful, generous, and loyal.
When is Eid al-Adha in 2025?
In 2025, Eid-al-Adha is more likely to be celebrated on the 6th of June according to the Islamic calendar, as it marks the day as the 10th of Zil Hajjah. But still, the date may be different for different countries, as it depends on the local moon sighting that determines the start of the months of the Islamic calendar.
| Year | Eid al-Adha in Pakistan | Eid al-Adha in Saudia Arabia |
| 2023 | 29 June 2023 | 28 June 2023 |
| 2024 | 16 June 2024 | 15 June 2024 |
| 2025 | 6th June 2025 | 5 June 2025 |
Understanding the Islamic Lunar Calendar
The Islamic calendar is also called as “Hijri Calendar,” which is dependent on the cycles of the moon. The days of the calendar are set according to the sighting of the moon, which is why the lunar calendar is 10-12 days shorter than the normal Georgian Calendar.
The Significance of 10th Dhul Hijjah
The last month of the Islamic calendar is Zil Hajjah, and on the 10th of this month, Eid al-Adha is celebrated. The 10th of Zil Hajjah is quite important in the history of Islam as the completion of HAJJ takes place on this day, along with that, this day is a reminder of Prophet Ibrahim’s عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ sacrifice for Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
Variations in Eid Dates Across Regions
The day for the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha can differ across different countries, as the lunar calendar depends on the moon:
- Saudi Arabia and Gulf Countries: Eid is most likely to be celebrated on Friday, June 6, 2025, according to the official moon sighting announcements.
- United Kingdom, United States, and Canada: Some of the population like to celebrate their Eid with Saudi Arabia, while others rely on the local moon sighting
- South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh): Eid is more likely to be commemorated on the 7th of June as these countries depend on the local sighting.
- North Africa and Southeast Asia: The day of celebration is decided by the religious authorities and government, as they depend on the moon sighting.
People must wait for the Eid announcements by the local mosques, as the days differ from country to country.
The Moon Sighting Process
The process of local sightseeing of the moon is important in Islam as the lunar calendar depends on it, which decides the dates of Islamic events, in which Eid-ul-Adha is included. The lunar calendar is made by the sighting of the crescent-shaped moon that marks the start of every month of Islam. The crescent-shaped moon is called ‘Hilal’. The process of moon sightseeing affects the religious practices as it may unite or divide the Muslim communities.
How Moon Sightings Are Conducted
On the 29th of every Islamic month, the moon sighting is performed by professionals who look for the crescent-shaped moon after Maghrib prayer. If the moon is seen by them, then the next month officially starts that evening, and if not, then the current month will end on the 30th.
Nowadays, in the modern world, many new technologies have been invented, like telescopes, weather forecasts, but these can only provide support as they are not capable enough to completely replace the cultural way of moon sightseeing. Some of the regions still require a human eye for moon sightseeing, while other parts may depend on new technologies.
Why Eid Dates Vary Globally
There are many reasons that the moon may not be visible in one country while it is visible in another. They may differ in weather conditions, making the moon visible in one country while not in another, making people celebrate Eid on different days, which is a common practice. For instance, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries may celebrate Eid one day before the other countries that depend on the local moon sighting.
Official Authorities Involved
Some countries have made organizations for local sightseeing:
- Saudi Arabia: The Supreme Court makes announcements of the dates depending on the moon.
- Pakistan: The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is made for local moon sighting.
- Other countries: Higher authorities are assigned this task.
Ongoing Debates: Global vs Local Sighting
There is a discussion over the fact that whether the countries should depend on global moon sightseeing or their local ones, as the global one tends to maintain unity, faith, prosperity, and provides accuracy.
Eid ul Adha and Hajj Connection
One of the pillars of Islam is the performance of Hajj, which takes place in the month of Zil Hajjah and is connected to Eid-ul-Adha, which is commemorated on the 10th of Zil Hajjah. The Eid is celebrated on the completion of the hajj and is one of the most important festivals of Islam.
How Hajj Dates Are Tied to Eid al-Adha
The performance of Hajj takes place in the first 10 days of Zil Hajjah, that is, the last month of the Islamic calendar. Eid is celebrated on the 10th of Zil Hajjah, that is, after the day of Arafah. The people who perform Hajj are supposed to spend their day on the mountain of Arafah, completely immersing themselves in praying and reflecting.
As Eid is to be celebrated on the next day, some of the key rituals to be performed by the Hajji’s are;
- Following the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, that is, slaughtering the animal in the name of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى
- Tawaf al-Ifadah
- Removing the hair on the head or beard
- Throwing stones at the Jamarat, which represents rejecting the evil
Global Observance of Eid by Pilgrims and Muslims Worldwide
On the day of Eid, as the Hajji’s perform their rituals the Muslims all around the world celebrate Eid by sacrificing animals, meeting, greeting and helping those who are needy. These events thus remind the Muslims of their faith and Islamic values.
According to Islam, one time performance of Hajj is required by a Muslim if he has the capacity too, the Eid celebrated after hajj becomes more than just a holiday for the Hajji’s.
Global Celebrations of Eid al-Adha
The festive event of Eid-ul-Adha not only represents faith and obedience it also is a mirror image of different customs related to this event all around the Muslim world. Globally, Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated differently by different communities having their own cultures, customs, and traditions.
· Middle East
In Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries, the day of Eid starts with prayer and then proceeds to gatherings, meetings, and socializing. The animals are slaughtered in the name of God by professionals. The meat of animals is then distributed accordingly. Eid clothes typically include abayas and thobes, and at the end of the day, fireworks are set off, which adds amusement to the festive day.
· South Asia
In the subcontinent, Eid is one of the most joyful events of the year. The markets are fully occupied by people who are willing to buy animals for Eid. The performance of the act of slaughter is normally done at the homes or nearby areas, with relatives taking part in the ritual. People wear traditional clothing, foods are prepared by the women of the house. These events reunite distant family and relatives, which adds to the joy.
· Africa
In Nigeria, Sudan, and Egypt, Eid is celebrated by performing the Eid prayer and then sacrificing the animal in the nearby slaughter area or at homes, followed by the preparation of food that is normally done at home. The event includes music, dance, and food. Everyone takes part in the performance of the rituals.
· Western Countries (UK, US, Australia)
In Western countries, the event of Eid is commemorated in mosques, event halls, and open outdoor areas. As the rules and regulations over there are strict, they have to pre-book the animals for slaughter. The celebrations often tend to take place in event halls. Different programs are made to help those in need.
Planning for Eid al-Adha 2025
Eid-ul-Adha is most likely to be on the 6th of June, it’s wise for Muslims all around the world to start preparing for the event. The things to prepare in advance include arranging for an animal, buying new clothes, and connecting with relatives.
· Key Preparations
- Qurbani Booking: Most of the people tend to pre-book animals for slaughter as early as possible. This makes sure that the ritual is performed on their behalf and the meat is distributed according to tradition.
- Clothing and Gifts: Early shopping for Eid is one of the best things one can do for themselves, as it saves time and last-minute fuss.
- Family and Travel Plans: As Eid is an event that is meant to be celebrated with family, people living far away from their families should make arrangements in advance to avoid problems.
· Holiday Considerations
In the Western countries where Eid is not included in the holidays, Muslims have to request leave from work and schools. Some of the institutes may grant leave, but one should always plan.
· Travel and Business Adaptations
At the time of Eid, the Airlines and different agencies make special offers for Muslims. A lot of Islamic organizations make arrangements to accommodate those who don’t have family nearby, making their Eid worth celebrating.
· Importance of Early Announcements
For effective planning, the local mosques and other centres are required to give updates during the moon sighting. The early announcements can help to organize and prepare for the Eid, as the day of celebration depends on the local sights in most countries.
FAQs
- Will Eid al-Adha be a public holiday in my country?
In Muslim countries, Eid al-Adha is a holiday, but in Western countries like the USA, UK, and Australia, it is not celebrated as a holiday. The Muslims request a leave on the day of Eid to celebrate their day. - What if my family observes Eid on a different day?
As the date of Eid depends on the moon sightseeing the day of celebration may be different in different countries. It is normal for families to celebrate Eid on different days, as it depends on the local sights in their respective regions. This does not affect their customs as there is only a variation in dates. - Can non-Muslims participate in Eid celebrations?
Yes, Non-Muslims can participate in the Eid celebrations. They are welcome to the events and meet-and-greets. As Eid is the time for people to reunite and socialize, Muslims can invite their non-Muslim friends to celebrate with them. - Are there online services for Qurbani in 2025?
Yes, there are online services available for Muslims to pre-book animals for sacrifice so that they can perform their rituals. These services make sure that the meat is distributed among the people accordingly.
Conclusion
Eid-ul-Adha is an extremely important event in Islam that is celebrated in honour of the great sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. It gives us a perfect example of faith and obedience to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. This event tells us the importance of being generous and having a heart to help people.
Eid-ul-Adha is most likely to be celebrated on 6th June 2025, but the date still depends on the moon sighting. As the Islamic calendar depends on the cycle of the moon, the exact date of celebration may differ in different countries. As the day of celebration is close, it is important to stay in touch with the local authorities.
At the end, Eid-ul-Adha is not just a festival. Still, rather it acts as the source of connecting and strengthening bonds with family, relatives, and Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, thus enlightening the religious values.











