With just a few days remaining before the arrival of the sacred month of Dhul-Hijjah, astronomical forecasts have converged on a likely date for the celebration of Aïd Al-Idha in 2025. According to calculations by Tunisian experts, this religious holiday could fall on Friday, June 6, 2025.
This estimate is based on the position of the moon and data gathered by the Cité des Sciences in Tunis, as outlined in a statement released on Tuesday.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025: Start of Dhul-Hijjah
According to astronomical projections specific to Tunisian territory, the first day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah 1446 is expected to be Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The Day of Arafat, which marks the ninth day of this sacred month, would therefore be observed on Thursday, June 5, 2025, immediately preceding Aïd Al-Idha.
Crescent Moon Expected to Be Visible in Tunisia
The Cité des Sciences also noted that on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the sun will set in Tunis at 7:31 p.m., while the moon will set at 8:28 p.m., remaining visible for 57 minutes after sunset. At that time, the crescent moon will be positioned at an estimated height of 9°19′ above the horizon, with an angular distance of approximately 10°19′ from the sun.
The moon’s age at sunset in Tunis will be 15 hours and 28 minutes, making the crescent potentially visible through a telescope—and possibly even with the naked eye under clear skies.
Moon Sighting Scheduled for May 27 in Several Muslim Countries
The statement further indicated that most Islamic countries began the month of Dhul-Qa’dah on April 29, 2025, placing Tuesday, May 27, 2025, as the 29th day of Dhul-Qa’dah 1446—a traditional date set aside for moon sighting to determine the start of Dhul-Hijjah.
The phenomenon of central conjunction (new moon) is expected to occur on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 4:02 a.m., local time in Tunis. However, crescent visibility will be impossible—either with the naked eye or through telescopes—from the extreme southern regions of the American, African, and Asian continents, according to the same astronomical models.
Final Date Subject to Religious Authority Confirmation
It is important to note that despite the precision of astronomical calculations, the official date for Aïd Al-Idha will ultimately be determined by Tunisian religious authorities, who traditionally rely on the visual sighting of the crescent moon, whether with the naked eye or through optical instruments.
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