Pakistan may observe two public holidays for Eid Milad-un-Nabi this year. Traditionally, the country marks the occasion with a single holiday on 12 Rabiul Awwal, commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). However, this year there is growing anticipation for an additional day off.
The proposed change is driven by two key factors. Firstly, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori has requested that the federal government declare both the 11th and 12th Rabiul Awwal as public holidays. Tessori’s appeal emphasizes the importance of the occasion for the Muslim Ummah and aims to allow people to celebrate with the necessary religious fervor.
Secondly, there is some confusion regarding the exact date of the moon sighting, which affects the Islamic calendar. While some experts claim that the moon was sighted on September 5, marking the start of Rabiul Awwal, the moon committee officially announced September 6 as the first day of the month. This discrepancy suggests that 12 Rabiul Awwal could actually fall on September 16, rather than the officially recognized date of September 17.
Governor Tessori has sent letters to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and the Chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) advocating for these changes. He has also urged Pemra to ensure that media content during this holy month focuses on the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH), avoiding entertainment such as music and films.
The federal government had previously announced a public holiday for September 17 in celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi. However, the proposal for an additional holiday on September 16 is still under review. The final decision will be made by the federal government.
Governor Tessori has announced a grand celebration at the Governor House on September 17, which will include special illuminations and will be open to the public.
Some social media posts by moon sighting experts suggest that a lunar eclipse will occur on September 18. Since lunar eclipses happen during a full moon, which is on the 14th of the Islamic month, they argue that 12 Rabiul Awwal should fall on September 16, not September 17. These experts are urging the government and the moon committee to reconsider their decision and officially recognize September 16 as 12 Rabiul Awwal.
The final determination of whether there will be one or two public holidays will depend on the federal government’s decision, which is expected soon.
