Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairperson Maulana Muhammad Abdul Khabeer Azad looks through telescope for the new moon. Photo: AFP
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Karachi on Sunday to sight the moon of Zilhajj 1447 AH.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on 29 Zilhajj, May 17, at the Meteorological Department in Karachi.
The meeting will be chaired by Chairman Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, while zonal moon sighting committee meetings will be held at provincial headquarters.
Zonal committees will meet in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has also issued a notification in this regard.
If the Zilhajj moon is sighted on May 17, Eidul Azha will fall on Wednesday, May 27, while if the moon is not sighted, Eid will be observed on Thursday, May 28.
On May 12, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO issued its forecast for the sighting of the Zilhajj 1447 AH moon, stating that Eidul Azha is expected to be observed on May 27.
According to SUPARCO, the new moon of Zilhajj 1447 AH is expected to be born on May 17, 2026, at 1:01am Pakistan Standard Time (PST).
It said that on May 17, 2026, at sunset, the age of the new moon would be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes.
Read:Â Eidul Azha likely to fall on May 27: SUPARCO
The commission stated that a time gap of around 60 minutes between sunset and moonset is expected in Pakistan’s coastal areas.
Based on these astronomical parameters, SUPARCO said the chances of sighting the Zilhajj moon on the evening of May 17, 2026, are considered favourable, provided weather conditions remain clear and visibility near the horizon is good.
It said 1st Zilhajj 1447 Hijri is expected to fall on Monday, May 18, 2026, marking the end of the month of Zilhajj.
Eidul Azha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the two major Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It honors the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command.
In recognition of this act of devotion, Muslims around the world engage in the tradition of sacrificing animals, with the meat shared among family, friends, and the less fortunate.
The practice of animal sacrifice is carried out over the three days of Eid, symbolizing Prophet Ibrahim’s commitment to God’s will.
This act of generosity not only commemorates a sacred historical moment but also reinforces the values of charity, gratitude, and community within the Muslim faith.
