ISLAMABAD: The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee has announced that the Muharram moon has not been sighted in any part of the country, therefore the first of Muharram will fall on July 20 (Thursday), while Ashura will fall on July 29.
The announcement was made by Chairman Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad here on Tuesday evening.
“As you all know, the Islamic calendar begins with Muharram, and today (Tuesday), Azad we have announced the beginning of Muharram,” adding that the Ashura, Muharram 10, will be observed on July 29 (Saturday).
Chairman Ruet-i-Hilal Committee made the announcement after a meeting of the committee held in Quetta, presided over by him.
Meanwhile, meetings of the zonal and district Ruet-i-Hilal Committees were also held at the respective headquarters.
Significance of Muharram for Muslims
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and also a month of mourning, observed across the globe, particularly by Shia Muslims. The month commemorates the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, where amongst many, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), Hazrat Imam Husain, was martyred along with their family members and were also subjected to humiliation.
Keeping in view the need for extra security due to the increase in religious events in the first 10 days of Muharram, particularly on the 9th and 10th of Muharram, authorities make special security arrangements accordingly.
