Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meeting underway for Zilhaj moon sighting

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is being convened in Karachi on Friday to sight the Zilhaj moon. The meeting, led by Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, is taking place at the Pakistan Meteorological Department office.

Members will scrutinise the sky for the Eid ul Adha moon and subsequently announce their findings.

Parallel meetings are also being held by Ruet-e-Hilal committees in all provincial capitals, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the country.

Additionally, zonal and divisional level committees are also being organised to support the moon sighting efforts.

Representatives from SUPARCO are participating in the Karachi meeting, lending their expertise to the observation process.

According to the Climate Data Processing Centre, the Zilhaj moon is expected to be sighted on Friday June, 7 making Eidul Azha's celebration on Monday, June 17.

Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz stated that the new moon, which marks the start of the Islamic month of Zilhaj, will be born precisely at 5:38 pm local time on June 6, with sunset expected at 7:20 PM. The moon is likely to be visible for 72 minutes after sunset.

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.

Eidul Azha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the two major Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God.

The festival is traditionally marked by the slaughter of animals, with the meat shared among family, friends, and the poor. The sacrificial practice, in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim, continues for the three days of Eid.

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.