With Eid ul Azha 2025 just around the corner, anticipation is building among Muslims across Pakistan as the community looks forward to moon sighting, animal purchases, and preparations for Qurbani, a central ritual of the Islamic festival.
Renowned astronomer Dr. Faheem Hashmi has predicted that the Zil Hajj moon is most likely to be sighted on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. If this prediction holds, Eid ul Azha would fall on Saturday, June 7, 2025—the 10th of Zilhajj.
According to astronomical data, there is little to no chance of moon visibility on Tuesday, May 27, as the moon will only be 11 hours old at sunset—too young to be visible to the naked eye. However, on May 28, the moon will be over 35 hours old, making its visibility highly likely under clear skies.
Dr. Hashmi stressed that while such forecasts are made using scientific calculations, the final decision regarding the start of Zilhajj—and thus Eid—will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the official moon-sighting body in Pakistan.
Eid ul Azha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is observed annually on the 10th of Zilhajj. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (A.S) profound act of obedience when he was willing to sacrifice his son at Allah’s command.
The day is marked with special prayers, the ritual sacrifice of animals, and the distribution of meat among family, friends, and those in need.
The announcement of the crescent sighting will be closely monitored by religious authorities and the general public nationwide, setting the stage for one of Islam’s most sacred celebrations.
