No Sighting of Muharram Crescent in Pakistan, 1st Muharram on June 17: Ruet-e-Hilal Committee

Islamabad (News Desk) The Muharram-ul-Haram crescent was not sighted anywhere across the country, announced the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. As a result, the first day of Muharram will fall on June 17, while Ashura (10th Muharram) will be observed on June 26, Friday.

The announcement was made after a meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee held at Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, to review moon sighting reports from across Pakistan.

Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, along with other religious scholars, addressed a press conference stating that no credible testimonies of moon sighting were received from any part of the country.

Following the decision, the Ministry of Religious Affairs also issued an official notification confirming that 1st Muharram 1448 AH will begin on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

According to SUPARCO, the national space agency, the likelihood of the Muharram crescent being visible on June 15 was very low. It noted that the new moon was expected to be born at 7:54 AM on June 15, and by sunset its age would be approximately 11 hours and 50 minutes. The time difference between sunset and moonset in coastal areas was expected to be around 40 minutes, making visibility difficult.

Authorities confirmed that the Islamic month will begin as per the official announcement, and Ashura will be observed on June 26 across the country.