RIYADH – The sighting of the Zil Hajj moon in Saudi Arabia has confirmed that Eid ul Adha will be celebrated in the kingdom on June 28th. The first day of the month will begin tomorrow, with the day of Arafah following on June 27th.
In Pakistan, the Ruet-e-Hilal committee, responsible for moon-sighting, will convene tomorrow in Karachi, the country’s largest city, to search for the Zil Hajj crescent. Maulana Syed Abdul Khabir Azad, the chief of the Ruet-e-Hilal committee, will preside over the meeting, which will be attended by representatives from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, SUPARCO, the Met Office, and the Ministry of Science and Technology at the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
Simultaneously, zonal and district Ruet-e-Hilal committees will gather at their respective headquarters tomorrow for their own meetings.
Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had predicted that the sighting of the Zil Hajj moon was likely to occur on June 19th, suggesting that Eid ul Adha would fall on the 29th.
However, several regions in Pakistan are expecting cloudy weather during the moon-sighting for the final month of the Islamic year. Despite this, the crescent is anticipated to be visible for over an hour after sunset on June 19th, with the next month expected to commence on June 20th.
The sighting of the moon holds significant importance for Muslims worldwide, as it marks the beginning of the Islamic month of Zil Hajj, which is the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Zil Hajj is particularly significant because it is during this month that Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, takes place.
Eid ul Adha, also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is celebrated by Muslims globally to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. It is a time of great joy and gratitude, as Muslims gather with family and friends to partake in prayers, feast on delicious meals, and distribute meat to the less fortunate.
In Saudi Arabia, Eid ul Adha is a public holiday, and the occasion is celebrated with grandeur and reverence. Muslims visit mosques for prayers, perform the ritual of sacrificing an animal, usually a goat, sheep, or cow, and share the meat with their families, friends, and the needy. The act of sacrifice symbolizes Ibrahim’s ultimate devotion to God and the willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of faith.
The sighting of the Zil Hajj moon is an eagerly awaited event for Muslims worldwide, as it marks the beginning of a month filled with spiritual significance and acts of devotion. Muslims in different parts of the world rely on local moon-sighting committees or credible authorities to determine the start of the Islamic months, aligning their religious observances accordingly.
While technology has made it easier to predict the visibility of the moon, factors such as weather conditions and the actual sighting remain crucial in determining the start of the Islamic months. The tradition of relying on human observation ensures that the moon-sighting remains a community affair, fostering a sense of unity and shared religious experiences among Muslims.
As the Zil Hajj moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, the news of Eid ul Adha being celebrated on June 28th has brought joy and excitement to Muslims around the world. The upcoming days will be filled with anticipation and preparation for this auspicious occasion, as Muslims eagerly await the opportunity to engage in acts of worship, demonstrate gratitude, and strengthen their bond with their faith and community.
In conclusion, the sighting of the Zil Hajj moon in Saudi Arabia has set the date for Eid ul Adha on June 28th. Muslims worldwide eagerly anticipate the arrival of this sacred festival, which serves as a reminder of Ibrahim’s devotion and the importance of sacrifice in the path of faith. As Muslims prepare for the celebrations, they will embrace the spirit of unity and generosity, cherishing the values that Eid ul Adha represents.
