Eid Al Adha will be celebrated in Saudi Arabia and several parts of the world on 24 September this year, a day later than what was earlier predicted by astronomers.

Saudi Arabia's moon-sighting body announced on Sunday that the festival of Eid Al Adha 2015 will begin from 24 September, which is next Thursday, as the month of Dhul Hijjah begins on 15 September, Al Arabiya News channel reported. 

Eid Al Adha, the second of the two major festivals celebrated by Muslims, is marked on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah, which is the last month in the Islamic calendar.

"Monday will be the last day of Zul Qaadah and Tuesday, September 15, 2015, will mark the beginning of the lunar month of Dhu al Hijjah," the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia said, according to Khaleej Times. 

Muslims in many Western nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom, observe Eid Al Adha as declared by Saudi Arabia. 

However, in South Asian countries such as India and Pakistan, the festival is celebrated a day later, and hence, it is likely to be marked on 25 September in this part of the world.

Eid Al Adha, also referred to as the 'Greater Eid' of the 'Feast of the Sacrifice', is observed to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience and submission to Allah (God). 

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