The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee said Sunday that the Dhul Hijjah crescent has been sighted, confirming the start of Eid al-Adha 2026 [1].
The sighting is critical for millions of Muslims in Pakistan, as it determines the official calendar for the holy month of Dhul Hijjah and the specific date of the Eid al-Adha celebrations [2].
Abdul Khabir Azad chaired the Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meeting where the official announcement was made [1]. The committee's role is to coordinate moon sightings across various regions of the country to ensure a unified date for the religious holiday [2].
This confirmation aligns with reports of moon sightings in other regions, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE [2]. The sighting of the crescent marks the transition into the month of Dhul Hijjah, which is the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar [2].
Religious authorities and citizens typically await this decision to finalize preparations for the sacrificial rituals associated with the holiday [2]. The process involves collecting reports from various sighting stations across Pakistan before the committee reaches a formal consensus [1].
The committee's decision provides the legal and religious framework for the government to declare public holidays for the festival in 2026 [1].
“The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced Sunday that the Dhul Hijjah crescent has been sighted.”
The confirmation of the Dhul Hijjah crescent allows the Pakistani government and its citizens to synchronize their religious and civil calendars. Because Islamic holidays rely on lunar sightings rather than a fixed solar date, this official announcement prevents conflicting dates of celebration and ensures the nationwide observance of the sacrificial rites of Eid al-Adha.
