The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Islamabad to sight the Zil-Hajj moon and confirm the date of Eid ul-Adha [1].

This meeting is critical because the sighting of the crescent moon determines the start of the month of Zil-Hajj and the subsequent date of the religious holiday. Because the Islamic calendar relies on lunar observations, the committee's decision provides the official timeline for millions of observers in Pakistan.

Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabeer Azad, Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, will lead the proceedings [1]. The committee is scheduled to convene on May 27, 2024 [1]. This gathering is specifically intended to determine the start date of Eid ul-Adha 1446 AH [1].

The process involves coordinating reports from various parts of the country to verify if the moon is visible. Once the sighting is confirmed or denied, the committee announces the official date for the commencement of the holy month, and the holiday. This ensures a unified observation of the festival across the nation.

While some reports have associated the 1446 AH period with different Gregorian years, the committee's specific meeting for this sighting is set for May 27, 2024 [1]. Other sources have linked the 1446 AH lunar cycle to the 2024-2025 period [3] or specifically to 2025 [2]. The committee's announcement in Islamabad will resolve these temporal discrepancies for the local population.

“The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will convene to sight the Zil-Hajj moon and confirm the date of Eid ul-Adha.”

The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee serves as the primary authority for lunar sightings in Pakistan, bridging the gap between astronomical calculations and traditional religious observation. By formally announcing the date of Eid ul-Adha, the committee prevents conflicting dates among different religious sects and ensures the state can coordinate public holidays and security measures for the pilgrimage and festivities.