The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee declared on Monday that the moon for Muharram was not sighted anywhere in Pakistan. As a result, the first day of Muharram will be observed on Wednesday, June 17. Consequently, the significant day of Ashura, which falls on the 10th of Muharram, will be commemorated on Friday, June 26.
This announcement was made by Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad, the Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, following the committee’s meeting held in Lahore to assess moon sighting reports. The decision aligns with the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s earlier forecast, which indicated that moon sighting on June 15 was unlikely due to the short interval between the moon’s birth and sunset, making the crescent difficult to observe.
In an advisory issued on June 11, the Meteorological Department had predicted clear weather conditions in many parts of the country, which generally supports moon sighting efforts. However, despite favorable weather, the crescent moon for Muharram remained unseen, leading to the official confirmation of the Islamic calendar dates.
Muharram holds immense religious significance as one of the four sacred months in Islam. The 10th day, known as Ashura, marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members during the historic Battle of Karbala. Throughout Muharram, Muslims across Pakistan participate in processions and majalis, where religious scholars deliver sermons reflecting on the sacrifices made during this period.
