Hajj on June 5; Eid in Pakistan on June 7

A pilgrim prays in front of the Holy Kaaba ahead of the Haj. PHOTO: REUTERS
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The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has announced that the Zil Hajj moon was not sighted in the country, confirming that the first day of Zil Hajj will be observed on May 29, while Eidul Azha will be celebrated on June 7.
The announcement was made by Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, who presided over a meeting to in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Addressing a news conference, Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad stated that no credible testimonies of moon sighting had been received from any part of the country.
"It was decided with consensus that the first day of Zil Hajj, will be on May 29, Thursday, and Eidul Azha will be observed on June 7, Saturday," he said.
He also highlighted that the weather conditions across the country had hampered moon sighting efforts, with cloudy skies prevailing in most areas.
The meeting was attended by members of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, along with representatives from SUPARCO and the Meteorological Department, who were present to provide assistance.
In addition to the central meeting, zonal committee meetings were also held in cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, and other regions.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has confirmed Friday, June 6, as the first day of Eidul Azha after the Zil Hajj crescent was sighted on Tuesday with Hajj to take place on Thursday, June 5.
Moon sighting committees across the Arab world and other Muslim-majority countries observed the crescent moon of Zil Hajj—the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar—on Tuesday, May 27.
The kingdom announced that the Zil Hajj crescent had been sighted, confirming that next Friday, June 6, will mark the first day of Eidul Azha. The United Arab Emirates also announced the moon sighting, declaring that Eidul zdha will be observed on Friday, June 6.

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