RIYADH: Eid al-Adha, one of two important religious festivals observed by Muslims around the world, will be celebrated on September 24 as the Zul Hijjah moon was not sighted on Sunday.

The announcement was made after the Saudi Arabia kingdom’s official moon-sighting body watched for the Zul Hijjah crescent, which is the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar.

The Islamic lunar calendar depends on sightings of the moon – a practice that can at times prove difficult.

Eid ul-Azha honors the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his promised son, Ishmael as an act of submission to God’s command.

It is separate from Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Eid celebrations start after the descent of the pilgrims performing from Mount Arafat, a hill east of Makkah. Eid sacrifices - where an animal, often a goat, is slaughtered - may take place any day from 10th to 13th Zul Hijjah.

BDST: 0844 HRS, SEP 14, 2015
RS