Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to meet in Karachi for Zil Hajj moon sighting

ISLAMABAD: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to meet in Karachi on Sunday to sight the Zil Hajj crescent, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, as preparations continue for Eid ul Adha across the country.

The ministry said the central committee’s meeting for moon sighting will take place at the Pakistan Meteorological Department in Karachi.

If the moon is sighted on Sunday, Eid ul Adha will be observed on May 27. If the crescent is not seen, the festival will fall on May 28.

Suparco forecast

Earlier, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission had projected that the new moon was likely to be visible on May 17.

A spokesperson for the national space agency said the age of the new moon at sunset on May 17 would be about 18 hours and 30 minutes, a duration he said generally supports visibility in several parts of Pakistan.

He also said the new moon is expected to be born at 1:01am the same day, which, according to the agency, provides the basis for the expected lunar progression.

According to details shared by the Suparco spokesperson, both atmospheric and astronomical conditions appear favourable for sighting the crescent on the evening of May 17.

The spokesperson added that coastal areas in particular were expected to have a gap of around 60 minutes between sunset and moonset, a factor that significantly increases the chances of visibility.

Final decision with committee

Based on these projections, the first day of Zil Hajj is expected to fall on Monday, May 18, while Eid ul Adha is likely to be observed on May 27.

However, Suparco said the final and official decision on the sighting of the Zil Hajj moon rests with the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which is responsible for formally announcing the Islamic lunar calendar in Pakistan.

The committee’s meeting on Sunday is therefore expected to determine the official start of Zil Hajj and the date for Eid ul Adha in the country.

The official and final decision regarding the sighting of the Zil Hajj moon will be taken by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.