Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to meet today for Dhul-Hijjah moon sighting

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will hold a key meeting today to observe the Dhul-Hijjah moon, which will determine the date of Eid-ul-Adha 2025 in Pakistan. 

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the final decision regarding moon sighting and Eid date will be announced after the meeting.

The provincial Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Punjab will also convene its session at the Evacuee Trust Complex (Auqaf House) under the chairmanship of Director General Religious Affairs Khalid Mehmood Sandhu. 

Representatives from the Pakistan Meteorological Department and committee members will participate in the session.

Testimonies regarding the sighting of the moon will be collected from across Punjab, including Lahore, and forwarded to the Central Committee, which is led by Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad. 

Based on these reports, the official announcement regarding Eid-ul-Adha will be made.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has forecasted that Eid-ul-Adha 2025 is likely to fall on Saturday, June 7. 

According to SUPARCO, the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah will be born on May 27, 2025, at 8:02 am (PST). However, by sunset, the moon will be only 11 hours and 34 minutes old, making it too young to be visible with the naked eye or even a telescope in most of Pakistan.

SUPARCO’s assessment suggests that the crescent will not be sighted on May 27, making May 29 the likely date for 1st Dhul-Hijjah, and thus, June 7 as Eid day.

Supporting this assessment, renowned astronomer Dr Faheem Hashmi stated that moon visibility on May 27 is virtually impossible, but it will be easily visible on May 28, when the moon’s age exceeds 35 hours, making observation feasible across the country.

In contrast, moon sighting in Saudi Arabia on May 27 might be possible with telescopic aid, possibly setting Hajj on June 5 and Eid-ul-Adha on June 6 in the Kingdom.

Despite scientific forecasts, the final and official decision in Pakistan will be based solely on eyewitness testimonies received and verified by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.

Reporter: Shahid Supraa