ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council has said the crescent moon marking the start of the Islamic month of Shaban has not been sighted in the country on Monday evening.
The council said Shaban 1447 Hijri will begin on Wednesday, January 21, following the completion of 30 days of Rajab.
Shaban is the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, coming right before Ramadan. It is a sacred month in Islam and has special significance for several reasons:
Muslims often use Shaban to increase worship, fasting, and good deeds to prepare spiritually for Ramadan.
Officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, science and technology, SUPARCO, and other relevant organisations participated in the moon sighting meetings.
After reviewing the evidence regarding the sighting of the Shaban moon, the committee announced that the moon was not sighted anywhere in Pakistan.
The committee has confirmed that Shab-e-Barat, the night of forgiveness and prayer, will be observed on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Muslims are encouraged to offer special prayers, perform charitable acts, and seek blessings on this sacred night.
The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee regularly monitors the moon’s visibility to determine the start of Islamic months across the country, ensuring accurate observance of religious events.
Earlier, the council had also shared astronomical projections suggesting that Ramadan in Pakistan was likely to begin on February 19, while Eid al-Fitr may fall on March 21.
