Muharram moon sighted, Ashura on August 30

Mufti Muneebur announces the decision following meeting of the moon sighting committee

The Muharramul Haram crescent has been sighted and Youm-e-Ashur will be observed on August 30 (Sunday), the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Thursday.

The first of Muharram, which is also the first day of Hijri year 1442 according to the Islamic calendar, will be observed on August 21 (Friday).

Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Mufti Muneebur Rehman presided over the meeting for the moon sighting committee, which was held at the Karachi's Meteorological Complex.

Muharram is the month of mourning for the seventh-century martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Security is beefed up across the country for the many processions taken out by believers.

The country has seen a raft of attacks at imambargahs and processions in the past.

This Muharram will be observed under the Covid-19 pandemic and authorities have warned the citizens to strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) including mask wearing and social distancing to avoid spike in number of coronavirus cases and deaths.