Quetta, June 26, 2025: The crescent marking the beginning of Muharram 1447 AH has been sighted in Pakistan, heralding the start of the new Islamic year. Friday, June 27 will be observed as the 1st of Muharram, while Youm-e-Ashura (10th Muharram) will fall on Sunday, July 6.
The announcement was made after a meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Quetta, chaired by committee head Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad.
The meeting was attended by members of the zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, officials from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, representatives from the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, and religious scholars from various sects. The central committee also coordinated with zonal bodies across the country to gather and verify crescent sighting testimonies.
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad confirmed the moon sighting during a press conference.
According to the Meteorological Department, dusty weather conditions in Quetta had initially made visibility challenging. However, the moon — aged 28 hours and 38 minutes — was eventually sighted within the visibility window between 8:10 PM and 9:00 PM.
Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar and is a month of profound religious significance, especially for Muslims observing the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala. Mourning processions, majalis, and other commemorative events will be held nationwide, culminating on Ashura.
