Moon-sighting committee to meet tomorrow as Eidul Azha date nears

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan is set to determine the beginning of the Islamic month of Zilhaj as the country’s central moon-sighting body prepares to convene on Saturday, a meeting that will also pave the way for the official announcement of this year’s Eidul Azha date.

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has been summoned for a meeting tomorrow, corresponding to 29 Ziqadah, to review moon-sighting reports from across the country. Once the crescent is sighted and confirmed, authorities will officially determine the start of Zilhaj and announce the date for Eidul Azha.

According to a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, the session will be held at the Pakistan Meteorological Department office in Karachi. The meeting will be chaired by Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad, who heads the country’s central moon-sighting committee.

Alongside the central gathering, zonal and district Ruet-e-Hilal committees are also scheduled to meet the same evening at their respective headquarters. These regional committees will assess local moon-sighting testimonies before forwarding findings for final verification.

The official announcement regarding moon visibility and the start of Zilhaj will ultimately be made by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad following the review process.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s space agency has already issued an early forecast that has drawn public attention ahead of the meeting. Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, commonly known as SUPARCO, has predicted a strong possibility that the Zilhaj crescent may be visible tomorrow.

If the forecast proves accurate and the moon is sighted as expected, Eidul Azha in Pakistan is likely to fall on May 27, setting the stage for one of the country’s most significant religious observances. The final decision, however, will rest with the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after reviewing reports from across the country.