The moon of Muharram ul-Haram has not been sighted, and Ashura will be observed on 17th July across Pakistan, as announced by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on Saturday.
Following the central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meeting, Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad declared that the first of Muharram will be on Sunday, July 8, and Ashura will be observed on Wednesday, July 17.
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad noted that moon-sighting zonal committee meetings were held nationwide. He confirmed that no evidence of the Muharram ul-Haram moon sighting was received from any part of the country.
Ashura is observed on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year, and commemorates the great martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala.
Previously, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had issued a statement on June 20, indicating that the new moon of Muharram would be born at the crossing conjunction point at 03:57 PST on July 6.
Given the astronomical parameters, there was no chance of sighting the new moon on the evening of July 6, corresponding to the 29th of Zilhij 1445 AH. Additionally, the PMD forecasted partly cloudy to cloudy weather in most parts of the country, further impacting the visibility of the moon.
