The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) the body responsible for moon sighting in Pakistan announced on Tuesday that the Muharram moon was not sighted. This announcement implies that the first day of Muharram, marking the start of the Islamic New Year will fall on Thursday, 20th July 2023. Consequently, Youm-a-Ashura, a significant day in the Islamic calendar, will be observed on Saturday, 29th July.
The meeting presided over by the Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad, took place at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Quetta. The committee confirmed that the moon marking the beginning of Muharram was not visible, leading to the decision that Muharram will commence on 20th July 2023. As per the Islamic calendar, the 9th and 10th days of Muharram, significant dates for Muslims, will fall on the 28th and 29th July respectively.
In contrast, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will observe the start of the Islamic year and the month of Muharram a day earlier, from Wednesday, 19th July 2023. The difference in dates is due to the geographical location and the resulting variation in moon sighting between the two countries.
This announcement comes as an important update for the Muslim community, who observe Muharram with reverence and solemnity, marking it with various religious activities. The 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura, is particularly significant for both Sunni and Shia Muslims, albeit for different historical reasons.
