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Islamabad, May 28, 2025 – The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has officially announced that the Zil Hajj moon was not sighted in Pakistan on Tuesday. As a result, the first day of Zil Hajj will be observed on Thursday, May 29, and Eidul Azha will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, across the country.
Official Announcement by Ruet-e-Hilal Committee
The decision was made during a central meeting held in Islamabad, chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, who also addressed the media in a press conference. According to him, no credible moon sighting testimonies were received from any region in the country.
“It was decided with consensus that the first day of Zil Hajj will fall on May 29, and Eidul Azha will be celebrated on June 7,” said Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad.
He also noted that adverse weather conditions, including cloudy skies, significantly hampered visibility, making it difficult for the moon to be seen in most parts of the country.
Meeting Attendees and National Coordination
The meeting in Islamabad was attended by:
- Members of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee
- Representatives from SUPARCO (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission)
- Officials from the Pakistan Meteorological Department
These experts provided technical and scientific assistance during the moon sighting process. In parallel, zonal committee meetings were held in major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar, ensuring nationwide coordination.
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Contrast with Saudi Arabia and the Arab World
While Pakistan did not sight the Zil Hajj crescent, Saudi Arabia and several Arab countries confirmed the moon’s sighting on the evening of Tuesday, May 27.
Saudi Arabia declared that:
- Thursday, June 5, will mark the day of Hajj
- Friday, June 6, will be observed as Eidul Azha
Similarly, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also announced that Friday, June 6, would be the first day of Eidul Azha. Moon sighting committees across the Arab world reported favorable visibility conditions, allowing them to declare the crescent sighting in line with the Islamic calendar.
Global Variation in Eid Celebrations
This year, a one-day difference in the observance of Eidul Azha has emerged between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, a phenomenon that is not uncommon due to:
- Geographical differences in moon visibility
- Varying methodologies used for confirming moon sightings
- Differences in religious jurisprudence regarding lunar calculations and testimonies
As a result, while Saudi Arabia and its neighboring Gulf countries will observe Eid on June 6, Pakistan will mark the occasion a day later, on June 7.
Significance of Zil Hajj and Eidul Azha
Zil Hajj, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, holds immense spiritual importance for Muslims worldwide. It is during this month that:
- Muslims undertake the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
- The festival of Eidul Azha is celebrated to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.)
Eidul Azha, also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice”, is marked by:
- Offering Qurbani (animal sacrifice)
- Charity and food distribution
- Congregational Eid prayers
- Acts of devotion and community service
Looking Ahead
With the official confirmation of Eidul Azha on June 7, preparations across Pakistan are expected to intensify in the coming days. Citizens will begin:
- Purchasing sacrificial animals
- Planning family gatherings
- Making arrangements for Eid prayers and charity activities
The government is also expected to announce public holidays, implement security measures, and ensure proper livestock market management to facilitate citizens in observing the religious occasion peacefully.
