The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, said on Saturday that the first day of Muharram, which falls on Monday, July 8, has not been observed in Pakistan due to the failure to observe moon.
Consequently, July 17 will be Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram.
Following its meeting in Quetta to observe the crescent of Muharramul Haram 1446 Hijri, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee issued a statement.
The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s zonal and district bodies will convene concurrently at their respective headquarters.
Due to the partly overcast or gloomy weather in much of the nation, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had projected that there would be little chance of seeing the Muharram moon today, as the moon-sighting community becomes busier.
On July 6, at 03:57 PST, the Met Office had predicted that the new moon will emerge on the crossing conjunction point.
Considered one of the four holy months in Islam is Muharram. The tenth day of Ashura commemorates the day that Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his family were killed in the Battle of Karbala.
During Muharram, believers conduct majalis and processions around the nation, and hundreds of law enforcement officers are stationed to provide tight security as religious leaders speak to sizable crowds.
The provincial governments have requested the shutdown of six social media apps for roughly a week during Muharram in order to prevent the spread of hate speech online and protect public safety.
In addition, as part of security measures for the month of Muharram, the Sindh government has banned 143 ulema and zakireen for 60 days. Meanwhile, the Punjab government has requisitioned the services of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers and announced a ban on pillion riding throughout the state.
However, according to a Ministry of Interior spokesman on Friday, the federal administration has not yet decided whether to stop internet access during Muharram.
