Pakistan will celebrate Eid ul Adha on May 27 after authorities sighted the Zil Hajj moon across different parts of the country on Sunday.
Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad announced the decision after the committee meeting in Karachi.
The committee held its session at the Pakistan Meteorological Department headquarters. Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committees also met in provincial capitals to gather moon sighting reports.
Addressing a press conference, Maulana Azad confirmed that the committee received credible testimonies from several areas.
“It was decided with consensus that the first day of Zil Hajj will be on Monday, May 18, and Eid ul Adha will be observed on May 27, Wednesday,” he said.
The announcement places Pakistan alongside Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Turkiye, which also confirmed Eid ul Adha on May 27.
Saudi authorities earlier confirmed the moon sighting. Pilgrims performing Hajj will observe Wuquf-e-Arafah on May 26 before celebrating Eid the next day.
Suparco Forecast Matches Moon Visibility
Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission had already predicted favourable moon sighting conditions.
A Suparco spokesperson said the new moon was born at 1:01am on May 17. The spokesperson added that the moon’s age at sunset reached around 18 hours and 30 minutes.
Experts generally consider that age suitable for visibility.
Weather officials had also predicted relatively clear skies in several regions. Those conditions improved visibility chances across the country.
The coordinated announcements across Muslim countries will allow millions of Muslims to celebrate Eid ul Adha on the same day this year.
Eid ul Adha falls on the 10th day of Zil Hajj. The festival also marks the peak of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah.
Eid Preparations Accelerate Across Pakistan
Following the announcement, activity increased sharply in livestock markets across Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.
Authorities have already started implementing traffic and security plans around cattle markets and shopping areas.
Eid ul Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command.
Muslims around the world observe the festival by offering animal sacrifices and distributing meat among relatives, friends and the poor.
The festival remains one of the most important occasions in the Islamic calendar alongside Eid ul Fitr.
Saudi Arabia also expects millions of pilgrims for Hajj this year. Authorities have expanded digital services, security systems and crowd management plans for the pilgrimage season.
