Pakistan's Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has provided the expected dates for the 2026 observance of Eid-ul-Adha pending final moon-sighting confirmation [1].
The announcement allows millions of citizens to prepare for the religious holiday, which involves significant travel and the ritual sacrifice of livestock. Because the Islamic calendar relies on the lunar cycle, the exact date of the holiday varies annually and depends on the visibility of the crescent moon.
According to reports from March 31, 2026, Eid-ul-Adha is expected to fall on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH [1]. The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee serves as the official authority in Pakistan for determining the start of Islamic months. The committee coordinates sightings from various regions to ensure a unified national date for the festival.
While the tentative date provides a framework for public planning, the final declaration will only occur after the committee verifies the sighting of the moon for the month of Zil Hajj. This process involves gathering data from observers across the country, a method that remains the standard for religious timing in Pakistan.
The holiday marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. It is one of the two most significant holidays in the Islamic calendar, necessitating coordinated government planning for public holidays, and security measures during the festivities.
“Eid-ul-Adha is expected to fall on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH”
The reliance on the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee's sighting process underscores the intersection of astronomical observation and religious tradition in Pakistan. By issuing expected dates well in advance, the authority attempts to mitigate the logistical challenges associated with a floating holiday, though the final date remains subject to physical lunar visibility.
