Muharram moon not sighted, Ashura on Sep 21

KARACHI: The moon of Muharram-ul-Haram, the first month of the Hijri year of 1440, was not sighted in Pakistan; therefore the Ashura will fall on September 21.

Chairman Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman presided over the meeting of the moon sighting body at Pakistan Meteorological Department’s office in the city.

The new Hijri year 1440 will begin on September 12, and the day of Ashura, which marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), will fall on September 21, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Monday.

Earlier, the Met Office had predicted that Muharram-ul-Haram will begin on September 12.

Ahead of Muharram month, strict security measures have been planned to prevent occurrence of any untoward incident.

Islamabad District Administration has imposed a ban on pillion riding in the federal capital for two months. The ban has been imposed under Section 144. The step has been taken to ensure security during the month of Muharram-ul-Haram.

The administration has also imposed ban on wall chalking, distribution of posters and pamphlets and hate speech for a period of two months.

Similarly, the Sindh government has also banned pillion-ridding across the province for three days as part of its measures to provide foolproof security to Muharram processions and gatherings.

According to a notification put out by the provincial home department, a ban on pillion-riding will commence on the eighth of Muharram-ul-Harram and end on 10th of the month.

A ban has also been placed on public display of weapons and the use of loudspeakers without permission, according to the notification.