ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council on Sunday predicted that Muharram-ul-Haram 1448 AH is likely to begin in Pakistan on Wednesday, June 17.
As per the astronomical calculations, the new moon is not expected to be visible anywhere in the country on the evening of June 15.
Secretary General of the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council Khalid Ejaz Mufti said the new moon will be born at 7:54am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) on June 15.
However, by sunset on the same day, the moon’s age will be less than 12 hours across Pakistan, significantly below the minimum age generally required for crescent sighting.
The age of the moon should be more than 18 hours for sighting.
He said that the interval between sunset and the moon is also important for moon sighting. On the evening of June 15, this difference will be 37 minutes in Karachi and 42 minutes in Peshawar; however, due to the young age of the moon, there will be no possibility of sighting.
Despite this, the moon’s young age would make crescent sighting unlikely, Khalid Mufti said.
The crescent will not be visible on the evening of June 15, even under clear weather conditions, whether with the naked eye, binoculars, or telescopes, he said.
According to the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, after the completion of 30 days of Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH, the first day of Muharram 1448 AH will be on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
He clarified that the final Shariah-based announcement of the sighting of the moon of Muharram Al-Haram, the beginning of the new Islamic year, will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Council.
