The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to meet today, Sunday, May 17, corresponding to the 29th of Ziqadah, to sight the moon of Zilhajj and determine the date for Eid-ul-Adha across Pakistan.
The meeting will be held at the Pakistan Meteorological Department office in Karachi. Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad, will preside over the session.
The final announcement regarding the sighting of the moon will also be made by the committee chairman after receiving reports from across the country.
In this sense, zonal and district Ruet-e-Hilal committee meetings will be held simultaneously at their respective headquarters.
The sighting of the Zilhajj moon is significant as it determines the beginning of the Islamic month and confirms the date of Eid-ul-Adha, one of the most important religious festivals observed by Muslims worldwide.
The festival is indicated by special prayers and the religious ritual of animal sacrifice in remembrance of the spirit of sacrifice shown by Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has already predicted a strong possibility of the Zilhajj moon being sighted on May 17. If the moon is sighted as expected, Eid-ul-Adha is likely to be observed in Pakistan on May 27.
The Meteorological Department has forecast dust storms, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall in various parts of the country.
The nation now awaits the official decision, which will confirm the beginning of Zilhajj and the exact date for Eid-ul-Adha festivities throughout the country.
