As the sun set on May 26, 2026, Muslims across India and much of the world waited in anticipation for the sighting of the crescent moon—a tradition that would decide the date of Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakrid. The outcome? A wave of calendar changes, rescheduled holidays, and a poignant reminder of the festival’s deep spiritual and communal significance.
For most of India, Bakrid will be celebrated on Thursday, May 28, 2026. This decision came after religious authorities announced that the crescent moon marking the start of Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, had not been sighted on the expected evening. According to Economic Times, this announcement prompted a flurry of updates: central government offices in Delhi and New Delhi moved their public holiday from May 27 to May 28, and the Supreme Court revised its own holiday calendar, opting to operate as usual on May 27 while advancing cases scheduled for May 28 by a day.
The ripple effect extended across India. States such as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana promptly shifted their Bakrid holidays to May 28, following confirmation from local religious bodies. The Sadar Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Deccan in Telangana declared, after Dhul-Qa’dah completed 30 days, that Eid al-Adha would indeed fall on May 28. In Andhra Pradesh, the Board of Intermediate Education rescheduled public examinations that were initially set for the same date, moving them to June 5 and June 12 to avoid overlap with the festival.
Kerala took a unique approach, declaring a two-day holiday for Bakrid. The General Administration Department’s notification stated, “Since 'Id-Ul-Ad'ha' (Bakrid) is being celebrated in the state on May 28, the government is pleased to order that Thursday, May 28, 2026, will also be a holiday...”—effectively giving residents both May 27 and May 28 to mark the occasion. West Bengal, meanwhile, cancelled previously announced holidays on May 26 and May 27, instead designating May 28 as the official public holiday for Id-Ud-Zoha.
However, not all regions followed suit. In Jammu and Kashmir, local moon sighting traditions prevailed. Religious authorities in the Union Territory announced that Eid al-Adha would be celebrated on May 27, a day earlier than the rest of the country. This divergence highlights the regional nuances and deep-rooted customs that shape the observance of Islamic festivals in India.
The financial world was not immune to these changes. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) had already listed May 28 as a market holiday for Eid al-Adha, ensuring that trading would be suspended on that Thursday. According to Economic Times, this aligned with the revised holiday schedules across most states and institutions.
While India prepared for Eid on May 28, the festival unfolded a day earlier in many Gulf and Middle Eastern countries. On May 27, 2026, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other nations celebrated Eid al-Adha with religious solemnity and festive enthusiasm. The Daily Sun reported from Dhaka that the holy day began after the completion of Wuquf-e-Arafah, the most significant ritual of Hajj, where nearly 1.6 million pilgrims gathered at the plains of Arafat in Saudi Arabia on May 26. The air was thick with the chants of “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk” as pilgrims, dressed in simple white garments, spent the day in prayer, repentance, and reflection.
The Hajj sermon, delivered from the historic Namirah Mosque by Shaykh Ali Al Hudhaifi, was broadcast live in 35 languages, emphasizing unity among Muslims, the importance of Islamic values, and the need for global peace. After sunset, pilgrims departed for Muzdalifah, where they collected pebbles for the ritual stoning of the devil in Mina—a symbolic act that marks the beginning of Eid al-Adha. On the morning of May 27, the faithful performed animal sacrifices, shaved or trimmed their hair, and completed the remaining Hajj rituals, including circling the Holy Kaaba.
Saudi authorities, aware of the extreme heat and massive crowds, implemented extensive security and transportation measures. Water mist stations and shaded areas provided relief, while a fleet of 24,000 special buses ferried pilgrims between the holy sites. Across the Middle East, a festive atmosphere prevailed, with expatriate Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India joining in the celebrations, purchasing sacrificial animals, and preparing to gather with loved ones.
But what is the deeper meaning behind Eid al-Adha? The festival, often called the “Festival of Sacrifice,” commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to offer his son as a sacrifice in obedience to God’s command—a test of faith that ended when God provided a ram to be sacrificed instead. According to Times Now, Eid al-Adha is a powerful reminder of devotion, faith, and selflessness. It is one of the holiest times in the Islamic calendar, coinciding with the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam.
Traditions on Eid al-Adha are rich and varied. Muslims rise early, don their best clothes, and gather at mosques for special prayers. Community gatherings follow, where families and friends share festive meals, exchange greetings—"Eid Mubarak!"—and distribute sweets. The practice of Qurbani, or animal sacrifice, is central: permitted animals such as goats, cows, sheep, or camels are slaughtered, with the meat divided into three portions—one for the needy, one for friends and relatives, and one for the family itself. “It is mandatory to give one-third of the meat to the needy,” notes USA Today, highlighting the festival’s emphasis on charity and compassion.
Children look forward to receiving Eidi, gifts of money, and wearing new traditional clothes. The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, especially the ninth day known as Yawm al-Arafah, are considered a time for heightened devotion and repentance. Many Muslims fast during these days, though fasting is forbidden on the day of Eid itself.
The celebrations are not just about rituals—they are about togetherness. As one personal account shared in USA Today puts it, “The togetherness, the community, is one of the things I look forward to most on Eid. Going to prayer in the morning, remembering God, and running into old friends at the mosque.” Food is central too, with families preparing special dishes like Sri Lankan beef curry and puttu, and gathering for communal feasts that blend tradition with joy.
As the world marks Eid al-Adha in 2026, the festival’s message of faith, sacrifice, and generosity resonates from the deserts of Saudi Arabia to the bustling cities of India. Whether celebrated on May 27 or May 28, the spirit of Eid—its unity, compassion, and hope—remains undiminished.