Muharram-ul-Haram moon was not sighted in Pakistan therefore first Muharram will fall on July 20, while Ashura will be observed on July 29.

Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad said that no testimony was received of moon sighting from any part of the country.

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal committee met on Tuesday (today) to sight the crescent of Muharram-ul-Haram, the first month of Islamic calendar.

The sighting of Muharram’s crescent will mark the beginning of the Islamic year, 1445 Hijri.

The central committee will meet with Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad in the chair in Quetta, while the zonal committees will also hold their respective meetings at their local headquarters.

However, the chances of a moon sighting are very slim, according to the Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD).

“According to astronomical parameters there is a slight chance of sighting the new moon of Muharram, 1445 AH on the evening of 18-07-2023 i.e. on 29th of Zilhaj, 1444 AH,” the metrological department said.

Weather was largely cloudy across Pakistan on Tuesday rendering the chances of moon sighting very much next to impossible.

Moreover, according to the media reports, Muharram’s moon has not been sighted in Saudia Arabia.