Eid Al Adha expected to fall on November 6

According to astronomical calculations, Eid Al Adha is expected to fall on November 6 while Friday, October 28 will mark the first day of the Haj season.

Eid Al Adha is expected to fall on November 6 according to celestial coordinates, according to WAM, the state news agency.

Dhu Al Hijja, the 12th month of the lunar Islamic calendar that marks the beginning of the Haj season and Eid Al Adha, is expected to fall on October 28. Eid is celebrated on the 10th of this month.

"Astronomical calculations show that Eid Al Adha will coincide with Sunday, November 6, while Friday, October 28 will mark the first day of Dhu Al Hijja," said Ibrahim Al Jarwan, an astronomy expert and chief supervisor of the Sharjah Planetarium.

Eid Al Adha, like Ramadan, must be confirmed by moon sighting, as per Islamic tradition.

The crescent will emerge on October 26 at 11.56pm. On October 27 the moon will set 22 minutes after sunset.

"It will be above the western horizon by four degrees, so it will be astronomically visible, but not without difficulty due to its closeness to the horizon line," Mr Al Jarwan said.

Eid Al Adha marks the time when the Prophet Ibrahim accepted God's command to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience. Ibrahim was allowed to sacrifice a ram instead. Muslims celebrate this day by the sacrifice of sheep and goats and give two thirds of the meat to friends, family and the needy.