Muharram moon not sighted, Ashura on Dec 17

Mufti Muneebur Rehman announces no testimonies for sighting of the moon received across Pakistan.

PESHAWAR: The moon for the month of Muharram was not sighted on Monday, which means Yaum-e-Ashura will fall on December 17, 2010.

Mufti Muneebur Rehman, chairman of the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, addressing the media in Peshawar, announced that no testimonies for sighting of the moon were received across Pakistan.

The month of Muharram will start on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day a high level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Rehman Malik reviewed overall security arrangements made for the month of Muharram and directed all Provincial Home Secretaries and IGs Police to meet with religious leaders and issue joint declarations to promote sectarian harmony in the country.

Last week the Sindh home ministry had also taken back its decision to allow pillion riding from December 3 to 19.