The Muharramul Haram crescent has not been seen, and Youm-e-Ashur (10th of Muharram) will be observed on Saturday, July 29 across Pakistan, according to the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
According to the Islamic calendar, the first of Muharram, which is also the first day of Hijri year 1445, will begin on Thursday, July 20.
The declaration came after a meeting in Quetta led by Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad to discuss the moon sighting.
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The meeting was attended by members of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Department of Meteorology, SUPARCO, and representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The provincial and district moon sighting committees met at their respective headquarters at the same time.
Muharram is the month of sorrow commemorating the seventh-century martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) grandson, during the Battle of Karbala
Security has been tightened up across the country in preparation for the several processions led by believers.
In the past, there have been a number of attacks against imambargahs and processions in the country.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued its forecast for the sighting of the moon for the Islamic month of Muharram 1445 Hijri last week.
The PMD stated in an official statement that the moon will be born on July 17 at 11:32 p.m. However, meteorological experts predict that a large area of the country will be cloudy during this time, obscuring the moon’s sight.
The sunset on July 18 is projected to be around 7:24 p.m., while the moon may rise at 8 p.m. on the same day. Nonetheless, scientists warn that several places across the country may be enveloped in clouds, which could interfere with moon sightings.
