Preparations have been completed in Pakistan regarding the sighting of the Zul-Hijjah 1447 AH moon, and an important meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has been called in Karachi on May 17.
On the other hand, Suparco has predicted that Eid-ul-Adha will be on May 27, indicating a strong possibility of sighted moon based on astronomical calculations.
According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, a meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will be held at the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Karachi, which will be chaired by Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad. The meeting will review the testimonies received from across the country and the weather conditions.
According to the spokesperson, meetings of the zonal and district Ruet-e-Hilal committees established in different cities of the country will also be held that evening. In these meetings, evidence of moon sighting at the local level will be collected and sent to the central committee.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has said that the final announcement of the sighting or non-sighting of the moon of Zil-Hijjah will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. The government has appealed to the public to immediately contact the relevant committees in case of moon sighting.
According to the astronomical report issued by Suparco, the new moon will appear at 1:15 am on May 17. According to the organization, the age of the moon at sunset will be about 18 and a half hours, which is considered sufficient for moon sighting.
According to the report, there will be about an hour’s difference between sunset and moonset in the coastal areas of Pakistan, due to which the chances of moon sighting are bright. However, experts have clarified that clouds, dust and weather conditions will also play an important role.
According to Suparco, if the moon is sighted on May 17, then the first of Zil-Hijjah will be on Monday, May 18, while Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 27. However, the final announcement will be made based on the testimony of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
According to astronomers, modern scientific instruments and astronomical calculations provide a fairly accurate estimate of the birth of the moon and its possible sighting, however, religiously and Shariahly, the sighting of the moon in Pakistan is decided on the basis of testimony.
As Eid-ul-Adha approaches, activities in livestock markets across the country are also intensifying. Citizens are heading to large markets in different cities to buy sacrificial animals, while traders are also completing preparations.
According to economic experts, billions of rupees are traded in Pakistan on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha in the purchase and sale of livestock, transport, fodder, leather and other related sectors, which benefits various sectors of the economy.