Pakistan to Observe Eidul Azha on May 27 as Zilhajj Moon Sighted
By Tanveer Ahmed :
Pakistan will observe Eidul Azha on May 27 after the moon of Zilhajj 1447 AH was sighted across various parts of the country, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Sunday.
The announcement was made by Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad while addressing a press conference following the committee’s meeting in Karachi.
He said the skies remained mostly clear in different regions of the country, enabling moon sighting in several cities and districts. Testimonies regarding the sighting of the crescent were received from Karachi and other areas of Sindh, as well as Mardan, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and multiple other locations.
“Therefore, it has been decided that the first of Zilhajj 1447 AH will be observed on May 18, while Eidul Azha will fall on May 27,” he announced.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee was held at the Meteorological Department in Karachi on the evening of May 17. Alongside the central session, zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committee meetings were also conducted in provincial capitals including Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar to collect and verify moon sighting reports from across the country.
Earlier, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) had forecast favourable conditions for the sighting of the Zilhajj moon. In its prediction issued on May 12, the commission stated that the new moon of Zilhajj 1447 AH was expected to be born on May 17 at 1:01am Pakistan Standard Time.
SUPARCO had said that by sunset on May 17, the moon’s age would be around 18 hours and 30 minutes, while a gap of approximately 60 minutes between sunset and moonset was expected in Pakistan’s coastal regions.
Based on these astronomical calculations, the commission noted that chances of moon sighting on May 17 were favourable if weather conditions remained clear and visibility near the horizon was adequate.
With the official confirmation of moon sighting, Muslims across Pakistan will begin preparations for Eidul Azha, one of the most significant religious festivals in Islam, marked by animal sacrifice, prayers and charitable acts commemorating the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command.
The announcement also confirms that the month of Zilqad has concluded and the new Islamic month of Zilhajj commenced on May 18.
About Author
