English Translation:
Date of Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha 2026 and the Number of Official Holiday Days
With the approaching Hajj season and the blessed Eid al-Adha for the year 2026, citizens in Egypt are showing increasing interest in knowing the official date of Arafat Day and the first day of Eid, as well as the number of holiday days allocated for employees in both government and private sectors, and students. This is part of early preparation to celebrate this religious occasion, which holds great significance for Muslims.
This interest coincides with the announcement of astronomical calculations that preliminarily determine the timings of the month of Dhul Hijjah and the Eid days.
Date of Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha 2026 in Egypt
Astronomical calculations from the National Institute of Astronomical Research indicate that Sunday, May 17, 2026, will be the completion of the month of Dhul Qa’dah 1447 AH, with the first day of Dhul Hijjah astronomically falling on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Based on these estimations, Arafat Day will correspond to Tuesday, May 26, 2026, while the first day of the blessed Eid al-Adha will be Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
These dates are preliminary astronomical estimations, with final confirmation pending the Sharia moon sighting.
Details of the Birth of the Dhul Hijjah 1447 Crescent Moon
According to the Institute’s announcement, the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah will be born immediately after conjunction at precisely 10:02 PM Cairo local time, on Saturday, 29th Dhul Qa’dah 1447 AH, corresponding to May 16, 2026. The report clarified that the new crescent would not have been born by sunset on the sighting day in various Arab and Islamic cities, which explains considering the following day as a completion of Dhul Qa’dah.
The Institute also noted that the moon, in its old crescent phase, will set before sunset on the sighting day with a time difference of up to 13 minutes in Mecca and 7 minutes in Cairo. The duration of its setting in other Egyptian governorates will range between 5 and 12 minutes. In other Arab and Islamic capitals and cities, the setting duration varies between one minute and 35 minutes, reflecting slight differences in sighting timings between countries.
Based on this data, Sunday, May 17, 2026, will be the completion of Dhul Qa’dah, and the days of Dhul Hijjah will officially begin astronomically on Monday, May 18, 2026, which determines the timeframe for Hajj rituals and the blessed Eid al-Adha days.
Number of Eid al-Adha 2026 Holiday Days in Egypt
According to the expected official holiday agenda, the Eid al-Adha holiday in Egypt will begin on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, which coincides with Arafat Day. The holiday will last for 5 consecutive paid days for employees in various sectors.
These holidays include the following days:
- Tuesday, May 26, 2026: Arafat Day holiday
- Wednesday, May 27, 2026: First day of Eid al-Adha
- Thursday, May 28, 2026: Second day of Eid
- Friday, May 29, 2026: Third day of Eid
- Saturday, May 30, 2026: Fourth day of Eid
This holiday is considered one of the longest official holidays during the year, offering citizens an opportunity to celebrate Eid, spend time with family, and perform the religious rituals associated with this occasion.
Importance of Eid al-Adha and Early Preparations
Eid al-Adha represents one of the most important religious occasions in the Islamic world, linked to the Hajj season and Arafat Day, which is considered one of the greatest days of the year. With this occasion approaching, citizens begin early planning, whether for travel, purchasing sacrificial animals, or arranging holidays, which explains the high search rates for the official date and number of holiday days.
Government and private entities also focus on organizing work and holiday schedules to ensure the continuity of essential services, while simultaneously allowing employees to fully benefit from the holiday.
Summary of the Article:
The article details the preliminary astronomical dates for Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha in Egypt for 2026, along with the expected official holiday period. According to the National Institute of Astronomical Research, Dhul Qa’dah 1447 AH will complete on Sunday, May 17, 2026, with Dhul Hijjah beginning on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Consequently, Arafat Day is projected to be Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and the first day of Eid al-Adha on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. It emphasizes that these dates are preliminary and subject to final confirmation by Sharia moon sighting.
The official holiday for Eid al-Adha is expected to be a 5-day paid leave, starting from Arafat Day on May 26th and concluding on Saturday, May 30th. This extended holiday provides citizens with an opportunity for celebrations, family time, and religious observances, prompting early planning by individuals and coordinated scheduling by governmental and private entities.
