The crescent moon of Zil Hajj has been sighted in Pakistan and Eid ul Adha will be observed across the country on May 27, Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad announced on Sunday.
The announcement was made following a meeting of the committee held at the Pakistan Meteorological Department headquarters in Karachi, while zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meetings were also conducted in provincial headquarters across the country.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Maulana Azad said credible moon sighting testimonies had been received from various parts of Pakistan. He stated that, by consensus, the first day of Zil Hajj 1447 AH would fall on Monday, May 18, and Eid ul Adha would be celebrated on Wednesday, May 27.
Earlier, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission had forecast favourable conditions for moon sighting on May 17. According to Suparco, the new moon was born at 1:01am on Sunday and was around 18 hours and 30 minutes old at sunset, making visibility likely in several regions.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates also announced the sighting of the Zil Hajj moon, confirming Eid ul Adha on May 27.
Eid ul Adha, observed on the 10th of Zil Hajj during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command. The occasion is marked by Eid prayers, family gatherings, charitable acts and the ritual sacrifice of animals, with meat distributed among relatives, friends and the needy.