Pakistan's Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee convened on May 25, 2026, to determine if the Dhul Hijjah moon was sighted [1, 2].
The outcome of this meeting dictates the official date for Eid al-Adha, a major religious festival that also coordinates the timing of Hajj rites [2].
Chairman Abdul Khabir Azad led the Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee during the proceedings [1]. The committee's primary objective is to observe the crescent moon to establish the beginning of the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar year 1447 [2].
Moon sighting efforts are not limited to Pakistan. Similar observations were planned in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and India [1, 2]. These coordinated efforts across different regions help determine the global observation of the holiday.
If the moon is sighted, Eid al-Adha will be observed on May 26, 2026, in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf countries [1]. The committee's announcement serves as the definitive guide for the public and religious institutions within Pakistan to begin their celebrations.
Because the Islamic calendar relies on lunar cycles, the date of the festival shifts slightly each year in the Gregorian calendar. This year, the sighting process centered on whether the crescent would be visible on May 25 [2].
“The committee's primary objective is to observe the crescent moon to establish the beginning of the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar year 1447.”
The reliance on physical moon sightings by committees like the Ruet-e-Hilal often leads to varying dates for Eid celebrations across different countries. Because the start of Dhul Hijjah is the catalyst for both the holiday and the Hajj pilgrimage, any delay or discrepancy in sighting can create logistical challenges for travelers and differing observance dates between South Asia and the Gulf region.
