Saudi Arabia map and time zone: Where is Saudi Arabia? What continent and time zone?

Saudi Arabia is set to take centre stage as Eid al-Adha – also know as the festival of sacrifice – approaches, being the setting for Islamic pilgrimage site Mecca.

The country is hailed as the birthplace of Muhammad, the foremost Muslim prophet, and Mecca is the site of his first revelation.

Before Eid al-Adha, all able Muslims are expected to undertake pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, and visit the holy site.

Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the city, but Saudi Arabia plays an important part in world politics and economy.

Where is Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia sits on the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle-East, on the continent of Asia – it is the largest country in its immediate area.

The Muslim-faith sovereign state is flanked by neighbouring Yemen and Oman in the south, and Iraq and Jordan in the north.

Saudi Arabia is the a founding member of the Muslims World League and member of the World Trade Organisation, providing important influence in both politics and economy.

The country is also a founding member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) which is responsible for moderating world oil prices.

Despite contributions to global society, Saudi Arabia has been accused of human rights failures due to harsh punishments in the country.

Saudi Arabia does not follow traditional judicial procedure, and does not require a jury to convict those on trial.

In addition, the country champions strong capital punishment, and has been known for punishing homosexuality and criticism of Islam.

Saudi Arabia is one of few countries in the world which has not adopted the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

What time zone is Saudi Arabia in?

Saudi Arabia operates on Arabia Standard Time (AST) all-year round, along with Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Yemen.

The countries in AST are a total of there hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Saudi Arabia is also three hours ahead of the UK in British Summer Time (BST).

When is Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia?

Eid Al Adha officially falls in Saudi Arabia during the Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month on the Islamic calendar.

The Islamic calendar runs off the lunar cycle, instead of the Gregorian solar cycle, which means it does not have a set date just yet.

Each month, the sighting of a crescent moon is what officially decides the end date.

Due to the lack of synchronisation with the Gregorian calendar, Eid al-Adha is pushed back 11 days each year.

This means a provisional date can be gleamed from past dates of the holiday, which this year is August 22.