Pakistan is awaiting the decision of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee regarding the sighting of the Zilhaj moon, which will determine the date of Eid-ul-Azha 2026. Meetings are being held in Karachi and other major cities, while astronomical forecasts by SUPARCO indicate strong chances of the moon being visible on Sunday evening.
The nation is now looking toward the official moon sighting announcement that will finalize the Eid schedule across the country.
The key meeting, organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, will take place at the Pakistan Meteorological Department office in Karachi. Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, will preside over the session.
Simultaneously, zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meetings are also being conducted in Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, and Karachi. Regional testimonies and moon sighting reports will be gathered before the final nationwide decision is announced.
Eid-ul-Azha 2026 Expected Dates
Today’s moon sighting is expected to determine the official date of Eid-ul-Azha in Pakistan. If the Zilhaj moon is sighted on Sunday, 17 May, Eid-ul-Azha will likely be observed on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. However, if the moon is not visible, Eid will fall on Thursday, 28 May.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has already issued a notification confirming nationwide arrangements for the moon sighting process.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has released detailed astronomical estimates regarding the new moon. According to the agency, the Zilhaj 1447 Hijri moon was born on 17 May 2026 at 1:01 AM Pakistan Standard Time.
SUPARCO stated that by sunset on Sunday, the moon’s age would be around 18 hours and 30 minutes, which is generally considered suitable for visibility.
The agency further explained that coastal regions of Pakistan are expected to experience nearly a 60-minute difference between sunset and moonset, improving the possibility of sighting the crescent under clear weather conditions.
SUPARCO assessed that weather and visibility conditions are favorable for moon sighting on Sunday evening, provided the skies remain clear near the horizon. Based on these calculations, the agency expects 1st Zilhaj 1447 Hijri to begin on Monday, 18 May 2026.
Although scientific predictions support the possibility of moon sighting, SUPARCO clarified that the final decision rests with the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which announces the beginning of the Islamic month after reviewing verified testimonies from across Pakistan.
If confirmed, Eid-ul-Azha 2026 is expected to be celebrated on 27 May. Millions of Pakistanis are now waiting for the official announcement, as the decision will also set preparations for Eid holidays, sacrificial arrangements, and nationwide celebrations.
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