The month of Dhul-Hijjah is nearing its end across the country, bringing with it renewed hopes for the new Islamic year and associated holidays.
In Pakistan, the month of Muharram is likely to begin on June 27, due to which the Ashura holidays are expected to fall on July 5 and 6. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s meeting to sight the Muharram moon will be held under the chairmanship of Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad on Wednesday, June 25.
According to experts, the chances of moon sighting in Pakistan on Wednesday are very low, while there is a strong possibility that 1st Muharram will be on June 27. According to the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, the birth of the Muharram moon will occur on Wednesday afternoon, and since the moon’s age will exceed 27 hours, moon sighting will be easier across the country.
The new Islamic year is likely to begin on June 27, and Ashura is expected to fall on July 6. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s meeting for Muharram moon sighting will be held in Quetta under the leadership of Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad.
Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meetings will also take place in cities including Lahore. According to the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, the new moon will be born on June 25, 2025, at 3:32 PM Pakistani time. By sunset on the 29th of Dhul-Hijjah, the moon’s age will have exceeded 27 hours.
The gap between sunset and moonset — which should be at least 40 minutes for moon sighting — will be 74 minutes in Karachi, 75 minutes in Jiwani, and 76 minutes in Quetta and Lahore. According to the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, the new Islamic year will begin on Friday, June 27. The day of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, will fall on Sunday, July 6.
As in previous years, Ashura holidays in Pakistan will be observed on the 9th and 10th of Muharram. However, since this year Ashura falls on Saturday and Sunday, government employees will not receive any additional days off.
For Muslims, the month of Muharram is among the sacred months and is observed with devotion and reverence around the world.
