Eidul Azha likely on June 17 in Pakistan

Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz says Zil Hajj moon is expected to be sighted on June 7

As Pakistanis prepare for Eidul Azha by purchasing sacrificial animals, an official on Tuesday announced that the Zil Hajj moon is expected to be born on June 6.

Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz stated that the new moon, which marks the start of the Islamic month of Zil Hajj, will be born precisely at 5:38 pm local time.

He said that there were high chances of the moon being sighted on June 7 as it would be of more than 26 hours by then.

If the moon is sighted on June 7 then Eidul Azha will be celebrated on June 17.

Read more: Bus terminals under scrutiny before Eidul Azha

Eidul Azha marks the end of the Hajj which is one of the five pillars of Islam and should be undertaken by every Muslim who can afford to do so.

It is the second major festival for Muslims after Eidul Fitr, which is celebrated at the end of Ramazan, the holy month of fasting.

It takes place between the 10th and 13th day of the Islamic month of Zilhaj, as Hajj – the sacred pilgrimage that is the fifth and final pillar of Islam – finishes in Saudi Arabia.

Zilhaj, the 12th and last month of the Muslim lunar calendar, is itself considered one of the holiest in the Islamic year and Muslims often fast on its first nine days.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has been called to sight the Zil Hajj moon.

The meeting will be held on Friday, June 7, in Karachi. Additionally, meetings of the Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committees will take place at their respective locations.