Islamabad: The crescent moon marking the start of the Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal 1446 Hijri was not sighted, setting the date for the celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAWW) on September 17, it was announced on Tuesday. The announcement followed a meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the official moon-sighting body in Pakistan.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, confirmed the news during a press conference held in Islamabad. He stated that since the moon was not sighted, the first of Rabi-ul-Awwal would be observed on Friday. As a result, the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the day Muslims across the country celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWW), will fall on the 17th of this month.
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is responsible for the sighting of the moon, which signals the start of new Islamic months and the corresponding activities and celebrations related to them. The sighting process involves religious experts and astronomers who gather evidence from various regions to ensure the accuracy of their findings.
This year’s celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi, a day marked by religious fervor and public festivities, will thus take place under the guidance of the confirmed Islamic calendar dates as stipulated by the committee.