KARACHI (Kashmir English): The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet today (Sunday) in Karachi for sighting of the Zil Hajj crescent moon (Hilal) as Muslims continue preparations for Eid-ul-Adha.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the central committee’s meeting for moon sighting will be held at the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) in the port city.
If the moon is sighted today, Eid ul Adha will be celebrated on May 27; otherwise, it will fall on May 28.
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) previously forecast that the new moon was likely to be sighted on May 17 today).
A SUPARCO spokesperson said that the age of the new moon at the time of sunset on May 17 will be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes, indicating conditions that are generally considered suitable for visibility in several regions of the country.
He further noted that the new moon is expected to be born at 1:01am on the same day, providing a basis for the expected lunar progression.
Moon likely to be sighted today
According to the SUPARCO official, atmospheric and astronomical conditions appear to be favourable for the crescent moon to be sighted on the evening of May 17.
He further said that in coastal areas in particular, there was likely to be a gap of around 60 minutes between sunset and moonset, which significantly improves the probability of the moon being visible.
On the basis of these projections, the first day of Zil Hajj is expected to fall on Monday, May 18, while Eid ul Adha is likely to be observed on May 27, subject to final confirmation.
