Pakistan's Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to meet to sight the Zil Hajj crescent moon and determine the date for Eid-ul-Adha.
The outcome of this meeting is critical for millions of Muslims in Pakistan, as the sighting of the moon dictates the official start of the Islamic month of Zil Hajj and the subsequent timing of the annual sacrifice holiday.
According to reports, the meeting is set for May 17, 2026 [1], which corresponds to 29 Zil Qadah [1]. The committee, which includes a spokesperson from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, is responsible for coordinating moon sighting efforts across the country to ensure a unified date for the religious observance [1], [2].
There is some discrepancy regarding the exact timing of the gathering. While one source said the meeting date is Sunday, May 17 [1], another report said the committee was to meet on Saturday [2]. The process involves gathering reports from various sighting committees across the nation to confirm if the crescent is visible.
If the moon is sighted on the 29th of Zil Qadah, the month of Zil Hajj begins the following day. This determines the precise calendar date for the Hajj pilgrimage and the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha. The committee's decision serves as the official government mandate for the public holiday schedule.
Local authorities and religious leaders typically await the committee's formal announcement before declaring the holiday. This centralized process aims to prevent conflicting dates between different religious sects or regions within Pakistan, a common challenge in lunar-based calendars.
“The meeting is set for May 17, 2026, which corresponds to 29 Zil Qadah.”
The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee's role is to provide a standardized date for religious holidays to avoid social and administrative confusion. Because the Islamic calendar relies on lunar observation rather than a fixed solar date, the committee's verification process is the final authority for the state's official holiday calendar, impacting everything from public office closures to travel logistics for the Hajj pilgrimage.
