Srinagar, July 18, 2023 (PPI-OT): Grand Mufti of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, Tuesday said that the moon for Muharram-ul-Haram, the first month of Islamic calendar, was not sighted anywhere in the territory and that Thursday would be the first day of new Islamic Year – 1445 AH. The Grand Mufti made this announcement shortly after the Chairman of Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad announced that the crescent of Muharram-ul-Harram 1445 AH had not been sighted at any nook and cranny of the country.
Addressing a press conference after a thorough consultation with all stakeholders, Maulana Khabir Azad said the first of Muharram-ul-Haram would fall on Thursday, July 20 and Ashura on Saturday, July 29, 2023. The Grand Mufti said that no witnesses could be made available on record regarding the sighting of the moon from any part of Kashmir or Jammu divisions.
“The Islamic New Year will now start from Thursday, July 20, and the Ashura will be observed on July 29th,” he said. In his message Muslims of IIOJK, Grand Mufti urged them to observe the ensuing Ashura with austerity and asked them to pray for the well-being of the Ummah.
It is worth mentioning here that the Muslims of occupied Jammu and Kashmir observe important Islamic occasions and festivals like Ramadan, Eidul Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Eid Milad-un-Nabi (peace be upon him) and Aashura with Pakistan and not India.
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