Arafat (Haj) Day around the world in 2024

Arafat (Haj) Day around the world in 2024
  How long until Arafat (Haj) Day?
Arafat (Haj) Day
  Dates of Arafat (Haj) Day around the world
2025 Various Jun 5
AfghanistanThu, Jun 5National Holiday
KuwaitThu, Jun 5National Holiday
LibyaThu, Jun 5National Holiday
MaldivesThu, Jun 5National Holiday
OmanThu, Jun 5National Holiday
United Arab EmiratesThu, Jun 5National Holiday
2024 Various Jun 15, Jun 16
AfghanistanSun, Jun 16National Holiday
KuwaitSun, Jun 16National Holiday
LibyaSun, Jun 16National Holiday
MalaysiaSun, Jun 16Regional Holiday
MaldivesSun, Jun 16National Holiday
OmanSun, Jun 16National Holiday
United Arab EmiratesSat, Jun 15National Holiday
2023 Various Jun 27, Jun 28
AfghanistanWed, Jun 28National Holiday
BahrainTue, Jun 27National Holiday (additional day)
KuwaitTue, Jun 27National Holiday
LibyaWed, Jun 28National Holiday
Malaysia Jun 28
KelantanWed, Jun 28Regional Holiday
TerengganuWed, Jun 28Regional Holiday
MaldivesWed, Jun 28National Holiday
OmanTue, Jun 27National Holiday
PakistanWed, Jun 28National Holiday
Saudi ArabiaTue, Jun 27National Holiday
United Arab EmiratesTue, Jun 27National Holiday
2022 Various Jul 8, Jul 9
AfghanistanFri, Jul 8National Holiday
BahrainFri, Jul 8National Holiday
EgyptFri, Jul 8National Holiday
JordanFri, Jul 8National Holiday
KuwaitFri, Jul 8Government Holiday
LibyaSat, Jul 9National Holiday
MalaysiaSat, Jul 9Regional Holiday
MaldivesSat, Jul 9National Holiday
OmanFri, Jul 8National Holiday
QatarFri, Jul 8National Holiday (additional day)
Saudi ArabiaFri, Jul 8National Holiday
United Arab EmiratesFri, Jul 8National Holiday
2021 Various Jul 19
AfghanistanMon, Jul 19National Holiday
EgyptMon, Jul 19National Holiday
KuwaitMon, Jul 19National Holiday
MalaysiaMon, Jul 19Regional Holiday
MaldivesMon, Jul 19National Holiday
OmanMon, Jul 19National Holiday
United Arab EmiratesMon, Jul 19National Holiday
  Summary

Second day of the Hajj pilgrimage and the day before Eid al Adha. Named after the geographical area Arafa where the Prophet gave his Farewell Sermon.

  Which countries observe Arafat (Haj) Day in 2024?
National Holiday Regional Holiday Not a public holiday Govt Holiday

When is Arafat Day?

Arafat Day is the second day of the Hajj 🕋 pilgrimage and is the day before the first day of the major Islamic Holiday of Eid ul-Adha.

Arafat Day falls on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar.

As the exact day is based on lunar sightings, the date may vary between countries. 

Traditions of Arafat Day

At dawn on Arafat Day, Muslim pilgrims will make their way from Mina to a nearby hillside and plain called Mount Arafat and the Plain of Arafah. It was here that Muhammad gave his Farewell Sermon in 632 CE.

The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. This pilgrimage is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey. The state of being capable of performing the Hajj is called istita'ah, and a Muslim who fulfils this condition is called a mustati.

Usually attracting over two million people from around the world, the Hajj is considered the largest annual gathering of people in the world.

Haj in COVID-19 times

In 2021, due to coronavirus, Saudi authorities curtailed the once-in-a-lifetime experience to only 60,000 worshippers already present in the country. In 2020, the Hajj was limited to just 10,000 local residents in order to maintain social distancing.

The Quran tells of how God asked the prophet, Ibrahim, to sacrifice his son as a test of his faith. As the prophet prepared to submit to God's will, the devil tried to dissuade him and the prophet Ibrahim threw rocks at the devil. This act is repeated by pilgrims at Hajj who throw stones at symbolic pillars.

Part of Hajj is being seen as equal in the eyes of God. All men wear two pieces of white sheets so that all the attendee’s wealth and social status are the same. Women's clothing is less restrictive, but they must wear white and they can only show their hands and feet.

Unlike other Islamic rites, there is no gender segregation at Hajj. Men and women are permitted to stand side by side. During Hajj, pilgrims are not encouraged to be fasting because they will need their full energy and capacity for the worship of Hajj.

Full list of Eid al-Adha holidays by day

Eid al-Adha concludes the Pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Adha lasts for three days and commemorates Ibraham's (Abraham) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son.


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