Zilhaj moon sighted in Pakistan, Eid date officially confirmed

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has officially announced the sighting of the Zilhaj moon, confirming that Eid ul Adha will be observed across the country on Wednesday, May 27, ARY News reported.

Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, made the announcement following the committee’s meeting held in Karachi.

Addressing a press conference after the session, he said that multiple testimonies of moon sighting were received from different parts of the country, after which the committee unanimously confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon of Zilhaj.

“The Zilhaj moon has been sighted in Pakistan, and Eid ul Adha will be observed on Wednesday, May 27,” he said.

The central meeting was held at the Meteorological Department office in Karachi, while zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committee meetings were simultaneously conducted in Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, and Peshawar to collect and verify moon sighting reports.

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With the official confirmation, Muslims across Pakistan will observe 10th Zilhaj and Eid ul Adha on May 27, marking one of the most significant Islamic festivals, celebrated with special prayers and the ritual of animal sacrifice.

Earlier, the meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to sight the Zilhaj moon had begun in Karachi to determine the date of Eid ul Adha, while zonal committees were also holding meetings in other major cities.

The session was chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad at the Meteorological Department office in Karachi.

According to astronomical experts, the new moon was born at 1:01am on May 17, and by sunset its age reached 18 hours and 34 minutes, making moon sighting possible.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department had stated that there were clear chances of sighting the Zilhaj moon, provided weather conditions remained favourable, adding that Karachi’s skies were clear, improving visibility prospects.

Sunset timings in major cities were reported as: Karachi 7:10pm, Lahore 6:53pm, Islamabad 7:03pm, Quetta 7:20pm, Peshawar 7:10pm, Faisalabad 6:58pm, Multan 7:02pm, Sukkur 7:08pm, and Hyderabad 6:42pm.

An official announcement regarding the moon sighting and final Eid ul Adha date was expected after the conclusion of the committee meeting later in the evening.