PMD reveals likely date for Eidul Azha

Strong possibility of sighting the Zilhaj moon on June 19 (29th Zilqad), says statement

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has announced the possible date of sighting of the moon for Islamic month of Zilhaj in Pakistan, Express News reported.

According to PMD, the birth of the Zilhaj moon is expected to occur on June 18 at 9:37pm with possibility of partial clouds in most parts of the country.

The statement further mentioned that based on the information obtained from the observatory, there is a strong possibility of sighting the Zilhaj moon on June 19, which will be 29th day of Zilqad.

In the event of the Zilhaj moon being sighted on June 19, according to PMD, Eidul Azha is likely to be observed on Thursday, June 29.

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The meeting of the central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled on the 29th day of every Islamic month to ascertain the sighting of the moon, and the final announcement regarding moon sighting is made by the central committee.

Eidul Azha commemorates the Quranic tale of the Prophet Ibrahim’s (PBUH) willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah, before the Almighty replaced the son with a ram to be sacrificed instead.

It marks the end of an annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, and should be undertaken by every Muslim who can afford to do so