Pakistan's Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee met in Karachi on May 17, 2026 [1], to sight the Dhul Hijjah moon.
The meeting is critical because the sighting of the crescent moon determines the beginning of the Islamic month of Zilhaj. This official determination establishes the date for Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant religious holidays in the Islamic calendar.
The committee convened to verify the visibility of the moon and officially announce the holiday schedule [1]. While the committee's formal process is underway, previous projections indicated that Eid al-Adha 2026 was expected to fall on May 27, 2026 [2], in Pakistan.
Moon sighting processes can occasionally lead to different dates across borders. For example, some reports suggested the holiday might fall on May 28 in India, while expectations for Pakistan remained May 27 [3]. Such variations typically depend on the specific visibility of the moon in different geographical regions.
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee operates as the primary authority for these sightings in Pakistan. Its decisions guide millions of citizens in preparing for the religious rites, and festivities associated with the sacrifice of livestock and communal prayers. The committee's findings are communicated to the public to ensure a unified celebration across the country [1].
“The meeting is critical because the sighting of the crescent moon determines the beginning of the Islamic month of Zilhaj.”
The reliance on the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee highlights the intersection of astronomical observation and religious law in Pakistan. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the exact date of Eid al-Adha can shift annually and vary by country, often leading to minor discrepancies in celebration dates between neighboring nations like Pakistan and India.
