The Supreme Court told TOLOnews that the announcement of the days of Arafah and Eid al-Adha was made according to a Sharia ruling, which declared tomorrow (Sunday) as Arafah and Monday as the first day of Eid al-Adha in the country.

This announcement comes as Saudi Arabia has declared today (Saturday) as Arafah and Sunday as the first day of Eid al-Adha.

Abdul Rahim Rashid, spokesperson for the Supreme Court, told TOLOnews that due to the significant distance between Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, different countries may observe these days on different dates. He said: “In Hanafi jurisprudence, there is a concept called ‘Ikhtilaf al-Matali,’ which means that for countries that are far apart and have considerable distance between them, the local moon sighting is what matters. For the people of Saudi Arabia and its nearby countries, their own moon sighting is valid, and for Afghanistan and other countries, their own sighting is valid.”

Religious scholars also have diverse views on the difference in observing religious days in Islamic countries.

“We fast here, sacrifice here, and celebrate Eid based on our own sighting. The virtue of fasting on Arafah is also based on our local sighting, not according to Saudi Arabia,” Haseebullah Hanafi, a religious scholar, told TOLOnews.

“Our own scholars and the moon sighting committee have decided that tomorrow is Arafah. There is nothing to worry about,” said Humayoun, another religious scholar.

Meanwhile, Noor Mohammad Saqib, the acting Minister of Haj and Religious Affairs, who has traveled to Saudi Arabia, said that all Afghan pilgrims have arrived at the plains of Arafat.

The acting Minister emphasized that serious measures have been taken for the facilitation and guidance of the pilgrims.

He said: “Various committees have been formed, such as the transport and food committee; all committees are at their service.”

“They are cooperating with the pilgrims with utmost kindness and sincerity. So far, we have performed the Hajj rituals well and happily,” said Enayatullah, a pilgrim.

The acting Minister of Haj and Religious Affairs also mentioned that over 650 instructors have been appointed to guide and assist Afghan pilgrims during the Hajj ceremonies.