- Eid ul Adha will fall on May 27 if the moon is seen today.
- Suparco predicts the probable visibility of the new moon on May 17.
- Climatic conditions considered suitable for the visibility of the crescent.
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meeting to observe the Zil Hajj crescent moon began on Sunday in Karachi at the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The meetings of the Ruet-e-Hilal zonal committees were also held at their respective headquarters.
If the moon is seen today, Eid ul Adha will be observed on May 27; Otherwise, the religious holiday will fall on May 28.
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has predicted that the new moon is expected to be sighted on May 17.
A spokesperson for the country’s space agency said the new moon was born on May 17 at 1:01 a.m., adding that its age at sunset on the same day would be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes.
The official said that the atmospheric and astronomical conditions seem to be favorable for the crescent moon to be observed on the afternoon of May 17.
The spokesperson added that, especially in coastal areas, there is likely to be an interval of about 60 minutes between sunset and moonset, which significantly improves the probability that the moon will be visible.
Based on these projections, the first day of Zil Hajj is expected to fall on Monday, May 18, while Eid ul Adha is likely to be celebrated on May 27, subject to final confirmation.
However, the agency clarified that the official and final decision on the sighting of the Zil Hajj moon will be taken by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which is responsible for the formal announcement of the Islamic lunar calendar in the country.
