National ( The cow news digital ) The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is set to meet today to determine the sighting of the Zilhaj moon, which will decide the official start of the Islamic month and the schedule for Eid-ul-Adha across Pakistan.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will be held on 29 Zilhaj (17 May 2026) at the Meteorological Department office in Karachi. The session will be chaired by committee head Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, while zonal committees will simultaneously meet in Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar.
Officials have confirmed that arrangements have been completed for receiving testimonies of moon sighting from across the country. Religious scholars, meteorological experts, and representatives from relevant departments will participate in reviewing reports before making the final announcement.
The outcome of the meeting will determine whether Eid-ul-Adha will be observed on 27 May or 28 May 2026. If the Zilhaj moon is sighted on 17 May, the first day of Zilhaj will fall on 18 May, making Eid-ul-Adha likely on 27 May. In case the moon is not sighted, Eid will be observed a day later on 28 May.
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has issued its own forecast regarding the visibility of the new moon. According to SUPARCO, the new moon of Zilhaj 1447 AH is expected to be born on 17 May 2026 at 1:01 am Pakistan Standard Time. On the evening of 17 May, the age of the moon at sunset is expected to be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes.
SUPARCO further noted that there will be around a 60-minute gap between sunset and moonset in coastal areas, which increases the likelihood of sighting under clear weather conditions. Based on these astronomical calculations, visibility chances are considered favorable, though final confirmation depends on atmospheric clarity and human observation.
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Despite scientific forecasts, officials emphasized that the final decision rests solely with the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which relies on verified eyewitness reports from across the country before announcing the beginning of the Islamic month.
The committee reiterated that it follows a traditional and religiously sanctioned process, combining both astronomical data and authenticated testimonies to ensure accuracy in moon sighting decisions.
The announcement is expected later tonight after all testimonies are reviewed and verified.
