Countdown to Ramadan, Eid, Saudi National Day & Founding Day

This page shows a live countdown for the most important Islamic and Saudi occasions، each with its Gregorian and Hijri date, and the remaining time down to the second.

All upcoming occasions، live countdown

Details for each occasion

The Holy Month of Ramadan

The ninth month of the Hijri calendar، the month of fasting, night prayer, and Qur'an recitation. It runs 29 or 30 days depending on the moon sighting.

When it starts: officially announced by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia once the crescent is confirmed on the night of 30 Shaʿban. It usually matches the Umm al-Qura astronomical calendar, though it may differ by a day.

Recommended acts:

• Fasting from dawn to sunset
• Night prayer (Tarawih)
• Recitation and completion of the Qur'an
• Charity and providing iftar for fasters
• Iʿtikaf during the last ten nights

Eid al-Fitr

The first day of the month of Shawwal, following the end of Ramadan، a celebration of completing the fast.

Its Etiquette:

• Bathing and wearing the best clothes
• Eating before the Eid prayer (an odd number of dates)
• Takbir from the evening of the last day of Ramadan until the Eid prayer
• Performing the Eid prayer in congregation
• Paying Zakat al-Fitr before the prayer (one saʿ of the local staple food or its value)

The Day of Standing at Arafat

9 Dhul-Hijjah، the greatest day of Hajj. Pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafat from midday until sunset.

Its virtue for non-pilgrims:

• Fasting it is a confirmed Sunnah. The Prophet said: "Fasting the day of Arafat, I hope from God, expiates the sins of the year before and the year after."
• Abundant supplication, as it is among the greatest days.

Eid al-Adha

10 Dhul-Hijjah، the first day of Eid al-Adha. Muslims sacrifice animals to honor the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him.

Days of Tashriq: Eid runs for 4 days (10, 11, 12, 13 Dhul-Hijjah). Sacrifice is permitted on any of the four days.

Hijri New Year

1 Muharram، the start of the Hijri year. It is not a religious holiday and no celebration is legislated for it, but it is recommended to give thanks for the year that has passed and to pray for goodness in the coming year.

Why the calendar was adopted: it was instituted during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (17 AH) because it marks the beginning of a new Islamic era (the Prophet's migration).

Saudi National Day

September 23 every year، the anniversary of the official renaming of the state from "Kingdom of Hejaz, Najd and its Dependencies" to "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" in 1351 AH (1932 CE).

From its story:

• King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud began the reunification campaign in 1902 CE with the recapture of Riyadh.
• The unification of the Kingdom took roughly 30 years.
• On 17 Jumada al-Awwal 1351 AH (September 23, 1932 CE), the royal decree unifying the name was issued.

Saudi Founding Day

February 22 every year، the anniversary of the founding of the First Saudi State in 1139 AH (1727 CE) by Imam Muhammad bin Saud bin Muqrin in Diriyah.

Its significance:

• It commemorates the three-century-deep roots of the Saudi state.
• It was officially decreed in 2022 CE by royal order from King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Summary table of occasions

| Occasion | Date | Calendar | Type | |---|---|---|---| | Ramadan | 1 Ramadan | Hijri | Religious | | Eid al-Fitr | 1 Shawwal | Hijri | Religious | | Arafat Day | 9 Dhul-Hijjah | Hijri | Religious | | Eid al-Adha | 10 Dhul-Hijjah | Hijri | Religious | | Hijri New Year | 1 Muharram | Hijri | Calendrical | | National Day | September 23 | Gregorian | Saudi National | | Founding Day | February 22 | Gregorian | Saudi National | | Gregorian New Year | January 1 | Gregorian | Calendrical |

How the countdown works

• Updates every second in your browser (no server).
• Hijri occasions are computed using the official Umm al-Qura calendar.
• Gregorian occasions are computed using the Gregorian calendar.
• If the occasion is today, a "Today! " notice appears.
• After the occasion passes, the following year is displayed automatically.

Religious note

The dates shown are based on astronomical calculation (Umm al-Qura) and may shift by a day depending on the official moon sighting for religious occasions (Ramadan, both Eids, Arafat). For Saudis, the official authority is the announcement of the Supreme Court on the night the crescent is sought.

Read also: Hijri–Gregorian Converter · Zakat Calculator