ISLAMABAD: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has officially announced that the crescent moon for Muharram was not sighted on Monday, making Wednesday, June 17, the first day of the Islamic new year, ARY News reported.
Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, speaking after the committee’s meeting at the historic Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, stated that no credible testimonies were received confirming a moon sighting on June 15. As a result, the month of Muharram will commence on June 17, following the completion of 30 days of Zil-Hijjah.
The decision aligns with predictions from the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), which had earlier indicated that the crescent moon would likely not be visible on June 15 due to its age and short visibility window. According to SUPARCO, the new moon was born at 7:54am on Monday, and by sunset its age was only about 11 hours and 50 minutes, generally insufficient for naked-eye sighting. The interval between sunset and moonset in coastal areas was expected to be just 40 minutes, further reducing chances of visibility.
Provincial and zonal moon-sighting committees also held simultaneous meetings across the country and concurred with the central committee’s decision. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had forecast clear to partly cloudy skies for most areas on the evening of June 15, which typically aids moon sighting, but no verified reports emerged.
With Muharram starting June 17, the Day of Ashura (10th Muharram) is expected to fall on Friday, June 26. This date holds significant religious importance for Muslims worldwide, particularly for Shia communities who observe mourning rituals commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (RA) at the Battle of Karbala.
While scientific forecasts and astronomical calculations guided expectations, officials emphasized that the final decision rested on verified moon-sighting testimonies, as is customary. The announcement brings clarity for religious observances and government holiday schedules across Pakistan.
Source: ARY News