Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, declared on Saturday that the first day of Muharram, which falls on Monday, July 8, has not been observed in Pakistan due to the absence of the crescent moon.
As a result, July 17 is Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram.
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee convened in Quetta to observe the crescent of Muharramul Haram 1446 Hijri, following which the statement was made.
Head of the moon-sighting organization The conference to sight the moon of the first month of the Islamic calendar was chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir.
Simultaneously, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s zonal and district bodies will meet at their respective headquarters.
The probability of seeing the Muharram moon today was forecasted by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) to be low.
The new moon was supposed to emerge on July 6 at 03:57 PST on the crossing conjunction point, according to the Met Office.
Considered one of the four holy months in Islam is Muharram. The tenth day of Ashura commemorates the day that Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his family were killed in the Battle of Karbala.
During Muharram, believers conduct majalis and processions throughout the nation, and hundreds of law enforcement officers are stationed to provide tight security while religious leaders speak to sizable crowds.
