Muharram-ul-Haram 1448 AH is likely to begin in Pakistan on Wednesday, June 17, as the new moon is not expected to be visible anywhere in the country on the evening of June 15, according to astronomical calculations.

Khalid Ejaz Mufti, Secretary General of the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, on Sunday said the new moon will be born at 7:54am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) on June 15. However, by sunset on the same day, the moon’s age will be less than 12 hours across Pakistan, significantly below the minimum age generally required for crescent sighting.

He explained that the interval between sunset and moonset is another important factor in moon visibility. On June 15, the difference is expected to be 37 minutes in Karachi and 42 minutes in Peshawar. Despite this, the moon’s young age would make crescent sighting unlikely.

According to Mufti, the crescent will not be visible on the evening of June 15 even under clear weather conditions, whether with the naked eye, binoculars, or telescopes.

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The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, therefore, expects Muharram 1, 1448 AH to fall on Wednesday, June 17, after the completion of 30 days of Zil Hajj 1447 AH.

He, however, clarified that the official and Shariah-based announcement regarding the sighting of the Muharram moon and the commencement of the new Islamic year will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.