The new moon marking the start of the Islamic month of Zil Hajj, 1447 Hijri, is anticipated to be sighted on the evening of May 17, preliminary astronomical forecasts issued by the national space agency, SUPARCO.
A spokesperson from SUPARCO highlighted that the new moon’s age at sunset on May 17 will be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes, a period typically favorable for moon visibility across various regions of the country. The moon is expected to be born at 1:01 a.m. on the same day, setting the stage for its progression in the evening sky.
In a significant development, the official noted that atmospheric and astronomical conditions seem conducive for the crescent moon to be observed on May 17. Particularly in coastal areas, there is expected to be a roughly 60-minute interval between sunset and moonset, which greatly enhances the chances of sighting the moon.
Based on these projections, the first day of Zil Hajj 1447 Hijri is likely to fall on Monday, May 18, with Eid ul Adha expected to be celebrated on May 27. However, the final and official decision on the moon sighting will rest with the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which holds the authority to formally announce the Islamic lunar calendar in the country.
