RIYADH — Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday, November 17, that `Eid Al-Adha, one of the two main religious festivals on the Islamic calendar, will fall on Friday, November 27.

"The new moon of Dhul-Hijjah was sighted by trusted witnesses on Tuesday in a number of provinces," the Supreme Judicial Council said in a statement published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency.

"Thus, Wednesday, November 18, will mark the beginning of the lunar month of Dhul-Hijjah."

This means pilgrims will climb Mount `Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered his last sermon 14 centuries ago, on Thursday, November 26.

Standing on Mount `Arafat before sunset marks the climax of hajj and pilgrims who fail to make it on time must repeat their pilgrimage in future.

Every able-bodied adult Muslim -- who can financially afford the trip -- must perform hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, once in their lifetime.

Muslims worldwide will then celebrate `Eid Al-Adha, which marks the end of hajj, on Friday, November 27.