Zilhaj moon sighted, Eid ul Adha on June 17

Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad announces the decision after meeting in Karachi

Eid ul Adha will be celebrated on June 17 (Monday) as the Zilhaj moon has been sighted in Pakistan, Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad announced on Friday.

The announcement was made following a meeting of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee held at the Pakistan Meteorological Department office in Karachi. Representatives from SUPARCO and Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz were also in attendance, lending their expertise to the observation process.

The meetings of the zonal committees were also held at their respective headquarters in Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar.

Addressing a news conference, Maulana Azad said it was decided with a unanimous consensus that Eid ul Adha would be celebrated on June 17.

Earlier, the Climate Data Processing Centre had said the Zilhaj moon was expected to be sighted on Friday June, 7 making Eid ul Adha's celebration on Monday, June 17.

Also read: Saudi Arabia announces sighting of Zilhaj moon, Eid ul Adha on June 16

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 7:20pm. 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.

Eid ul Adha, 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.