ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s central moon sighting committee on Tuesday announced that the Zil Hajj moon for the Islamic year 1446 Hijri was not sighted anywhere in Pakistan. Consequently, Eid ul Adha will be celebrated across the country on Saturday, 7 June.
Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabeer Azad chaired a meeting of the committee in Islamabad for the sighting of the Zil Hajj 1446 Hijri moon.
Representatives from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), and other members of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee were present to assist in the moon sighting.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad confirmed that no credible testimonies of moon sightings were received from major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Islamabad.
He said the first day of Zil Hajj 1446 AH will be observed on Thursday, May 29, and Eid ul Adha will be observed across the country from Saturday, June 7, 2025.
“We received no testimony of moon sighting from any part of the country,” he stated, adding that the month of Zil Hajj will now commence on Thursday, 29 May.
In addition to the central meeting in Islamabad, zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee sessions were convened in major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar. However, no moon sightings were reported from any location across the country.
Earlier, SUPARCO and the Meteorological Department had indicated that the moon’s age on Tuesday evening would be only 11 hours and 34 minutes—insufficient for visibility under standard astronomical conditions. SUPARCO had predicted that the first of Zil Hajj was likely to fall on 29 May, placing Eid ul Adha on 7 June, subject to official confirmation.
Eid ul Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, falls on the 10th day of Zil Hajj and coincides with the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
It is the second major religious festival in the Islamic calendar, following Eid ul Fitr, and is marked by communal prayers, the ritual sacrifice of animals, and widespread charitable giving.
The festival typically spans three days of celebrations, during which Muslims around the world commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command.
Zil Hajj crescent sighting across the world
Earlier, Brunei and Malaysia officially announced that the Zil Hajj moon was not sighted on Tuesday evening.
According to Arab media, the Zil Hajj moon was not sighted in Brunei, meaning Eid ul Adha will be observed on, 7 June.
Similarly, Malaysia also did not witness the sighting of the Zil Hajj moon, confirming the same date for Eid celebrations there.
In contrast, Indonesia has officially announced the sighting of the Zil Hajj moon. As a result, Eid ul Adha will be celebrated in Indonesia on Thursday, 6 June.
The variation in dates is common among different countries depending on local moon sightings and astronomical observations.
Earlier, Kuwait’s Al Ojairi Scientific Centre, the dedicated astronomical and scientific knowledge centre of the country announced that Eid ul Adha will be observed on June 6, Friday.
The Al Ojairi Scientific Centre in Kuwait revealed that the Zil Hajj moon will be astronomically visible on May 28, with the Day of Arafah occurring on June 5, 2025
In a statement, the centre clarified that the Zil Hajj crescent will emerge following the conjunction at dawn on May 27, the 29th of Dhul Qidah, and will be observable that evening.
According to the Al Ojairi Scientific Centre, the Zill Hajj moon will be visible in Kuwait’s sky for 43 minutes after sunset and can be distinctly seen on May 28. The centre added that the moon will also be observable in Arab and Islamic capitals for 40 to 58 minutes.
On April 29, the cabinet of Kuwait announced that all state agencies and public institutions would be closed from June 5 to 9 as national holidays to observe Eid ul Adha.
The government employees are expected to return to their jobs on June 10. The cabinet, chaired by Acting Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al Sabah; however, clarified that “non-standard” operations may establish their own holiday schedules.
