Muharram moon sighted, Ashura on August 19

The Muharramul Haram crescent has been sighted and Youm-e-Ashur will be observed on Thursday, August 19, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Monday.

The first of Muharram, which is also the first day of Hijri year 1443 according to the Islamic calendar, will be observed on Tuesday, August 10.

The announcement was made following a meeting for the moon sighting, chaired by Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad in Quetta.

Also read: Call for unity during Muharram

The provincial and district moon sighting committees also held their meetings simultaneously today at their respective headquarters.

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 the believers.

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

Like last year, this Muharram will also 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.