The crescent for Muharram 1447 AH has been sighted in Pakistan, marking the beginning of the new Islamic year. The first of Muharram will be observed on Friday, June 27, while Youm-e-Ashura (10th Muharram) will be observed on Sunday, July 6.

The announcement was made following 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, representatives of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, officials from the Deputy Commissioner’s office, and religious scholars from various schools of thought.

The central committee coordinated with zonal committees across the country to gather evidence of moon sightings.

Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad formally announced the sighting during a press conference.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, weather in Quetta remained dusty, reducing visibility and making moon sighting more difficult.

However, the moon, which was 28 hours and 38 minutes old, was eventually sighted during the visibility window from 8:10pm to 9pm.

The beginning of Muharram marks the start of the Islamic lunar calendar and is observed with solemnity across the country, culminating in Ashura, the day of mourning for the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions in the Battle of Karbala.