The central Ruet-E-Hilal Committee on Thursday announced the observation of the Muharram-Ul-Haram Moon for the Islamic year 1447 AH, which marked the beginning of the new lunar year from Friday 27 June. Accordingly, Ashura-the 10th of Muharram-Blive will be observed on Sunday, July 6th.
The announcement was made by committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad after a meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Quetta. Officials from Pakistan Meteorological Department and National Space Agency, Suparco, were also present.
Zonal and District Moon Sighting Committee meetings were also held at their respective headquarters, where the Islamabad Zonal Committee convened the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Secretariat.
Read more: SINDH imposing section 144, prohibition plates riding during ashura
With a press conference after the meeting, Maulana Azad confirmed the sight of the new moon. “The Monharram-Haram moon has been seen. Friday, June 27, marks the first day of Muharram, while the 9th of Muharram falls on Saturday, July 5, and Ashura-the 10th of Muharram-will be observed on Sunday, July 6,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the meteorological department had noted that dusty conditions in Quetta could reduce the chances of the moon’s visibility. It had projected that the moon would be visible between 20:10 and 21:00 with an expected age of 28 hours and 38 minutes.
Pakistan’s national aerospace agency, Suparco, had also released a prognosis regarding the Moon Month. It stated that the birth of Muharram Moon was expected on June 25 at 1 p.m. 15:32, and at sunset on June 26, the age of the moon would be about 28 hours and 15 minutes.
The agency noted that coastal areas in the country would have a 75-minute gap between sunset and moon set relationships, considered very favorable to see the new crescent.
