`Eid Al-Adha is expected to start on Sunday, August 11, with moonsighting.com citing astronomical calculations, as world Muslims await the final confirmation of the sighting of Dhul-Hijjah moon.

“The Astronomical New Moon (conjunction) is on August 1, 2019 (Thursday) at 3:13 UT. Though the moon cannot be seen on that day in most of the world, it can be seen with difficulty in the Americas and easily in Hawaii and the Polynesian Islands.

On August 2, 2019 (Friday), this moon can be seen in the whole world,” Moonsighting.com reported.

Meanwhile, the Fiqh Council of North America (FQNA) has announced that “the date of `Eid Al-Adha will be contingent on the announcement by the Hajj authorities in Makkah.”

`Eid Al-Adha, or “Feast of Sacrifice”, is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations, together with `Eid Al-Fitr.

After special prayers to mark the day, Muslims offer unhiyah, a ritual that reminds of the great act of sacrifice Prophet Ibrahim and his son Isma`eel were willing to make for the sake of God.

Festivities and merriment then start with visits to the homes of friends and relatives.

Traditionally, everyone wears new clothes for `Eid, and the children look forward to gifts and the traditional `ediya (cash).

`Eid Al-Adha also marks the end of the annual hajj.

One of the five pillars of Islam, hajj consists of several ceremonies, which are meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, and to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family.

Every able-bodied adult Muslim — who can financially afford the trip — must perform hajj once in their lifetime.