ARY News reported the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon in Peshawar, Pakistan, to determine the start of Eid al-Adha 2026.

The timing of the lunar sighting is critical because it establishes the official start date for the Hajj season and the subsequent Eid al-Adha celebrations. These events rely on the visual confirmation of the moon to synchronize religious observances across the community.

Dhul Hijjah is the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar for the year 1447 [1]. The observation in Peshawar serves as a primary data point for religious authorities in Pakistan to declare the beginning of the month. This process ensures that the festival of sacrifice is observed on the correct day according to lunar calculations.

Observers in Peshawar monitored the horizon to identify the thin sliver of the new moon. The report from ARY News said that the sighting occurred in the city, which is a traditional hub for moon observations in the region. This confirmation allows for the planning of travel, and livestock purchases associated with the holiday [2].

Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the dates of these holidays shift by approximately 11 days each year in the Gregorian calendar. The 2026 observance follows this cycle, placing the event in May [2]. Local authorities and religious committees typically review these reports before making a national announcement to ensure consistency across provinces.

Once the sighting is officially ratified, the government of Pakistan will announce the public holidays. This allows millions of citizens to prepare for the religious rites, and the communal gatherings that define the holiday.

“The timing of the lunar sighting is critical because it establishes the official start date for the Hajj season.”

The sighting in Peshawar is a pivotal step in the religious administration of Pakistan. Because the Islamic calendar relies on astronomical observations rather than a fixed solar date, the confirmation of the Dhul Hijjah crescent triggers a cascade of logistical and spiritual preparations for millions, including the commencement of the Hajj pilgrimage and the coordination of national holidays.