Pakistan's Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee met in Karachi to sight the Zil Hajj moon and determine the date for Eid ul-Adha 2026 [1, 2].
The timing of the sighting is critical because it dictates the start of the Islamic month of Zil Hajj and the subsequent date of the religious holiday. This determines when millions of people will perform livestock sacrifices, and gather for prayer.
The committee, which serves as the country's official moon-sighting authority, convened in Karachi to review reports of visibility [1, 2]. According to some reports, the moon was sighted and Eid ul-Adha will be celebrated on May 27, 2026 [3].
Other reports indicate a range of possibilities based on visibility. Some sources said that the festival may fall on either May 27 or May 28, 2026 [2]. The discrepancy depends on whether the crescent is officially confirmed across the required regions of the country.
This process follows a scientific framework established earlier in the month. The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council released its scientific forecast on May 1, 2026 [4]. That forecast provided the astronomical basis for the expected dates before the committee's physical sighting meeting took place.
The committee's decision is the final word for the official state calendar. While different regions may report varying sightings, the Karachi-based central body ensures a unified date for the national holiday to avoid confusion among the public.
“Eid ul-Adha 2026 will be observed on 27 May 2026 in Pakistan”
The reliance on both the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council's astronomical data and the committee's physical sightings reflects the ongoing balance between science and tradition in Pakistan's religious administration. Because the date of Eid ul-Adha varies by a day based on visibility, the official announcement is essential for the logistics of the livestock trade and national travel.
