Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to Convene for Zil Hajj Moon Sighting

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to meet in Islamabad on Tuesday to observe the Zil Hajj moon for 1446 Hijri. This sighting will determine the official dates for Eid ul Adha this year.

Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabeer Azad, the Chairman of the Committee, will be in charge of the proceedings.

In addition, the Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committees will also gather at their respective regional headquarters to participate in the moon sighting for Eid ul Adha.

Eid ul Adha, celebrated on the 10th of Zil Hajj and coinciding with the Hajj pilgrimage, is anticipated by Pakistani Muslims to be observed around June 7, based on a forecast from the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco).

Suparco indicated that the first day of Zil Hajj, the concluding month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is expected on May 29, pending the official moon sighting. According to this estimation, Eid ul Adha would fall on Saturday, June 7.

The space agency explained that the Zil Hajj moon will emerge on May 27 at 8:02am. However, its age at sunset on the same day will be approximately 11 hours and 34 minutes, significantly reducing the probability of it being visible across the country.

Conversely, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Emirates Astronomy Society forecasts that this significant Islamic festival will likely be celebrated on June 6.

Eid ul Adha is one of the two major Islamic festivals, the other being Eid ul Fitr. Festivities typically span three days.