Kuwait will celebrate Eid Al Adha on July 9, in accordance with the crescent moon sighting of Dhu Al Hijjah, the twelfth and last month in the Islamic calendar.

Saudi authorities sighted the crescent moon for Dhu Al Hijjah this evening. Thursday, June 30, will mark the first day of the Islamic month.

Eid Al Adha will therefore be on July 9, which will be the tenth day of Dhu Al Hijjah.

Thus, July 8 will be the day of Arafat, the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijjah and one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar.

On that day, Muslims performing Hajj to Mecca flock to the mount of Arafat. Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad gave one of his sermons in the final days of his life on the holy site.

Pilgrims usually spend the entire day during Arafat saying their afternoon prayer (Asr) and reciting the Quran.

The International Astronomical Centre predicts that most countries will celebrate Eid Al Adha on Saturday, July 9.

Meanwhile, a handful of countries, including Morocco, are expected to celebrate Eid Al Adha on July 10.

During Eid, Muslims sacrifice a sheep, lamb, goat, or a cow to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail at the behest of God.

Being satisfied with Abraham’s unwavering devotion, however, God sent him a sheep and asked him to sacrifice the animal instead of his son.

Muslims around the world celebrate Eid Al Adha in roughly the same way, with the morning being marked with Eid prayer and the slaughtering of the sacrificial animal. This is followed by Eid meals, family gatherings, and visits to loved ones.