The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee met Monday, June 15, 2026 [1], to sight the Muharram-ul-Haram moon and determine the start of the new Islamic year [1].
This decision is critical for millions of Muslims in Pakistan, as it establishes the official calendar for religious observances, and the beginning of the Islamic year 1448 AH [1]. The sighting of the crescent moon dictates the timing of Muharram, a month of significant spiritual and historical importance.
The committee, which serves as the primary authority for moon sighting in Pakistan, gathered to review reports from various regions of the country [1]. Members of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee are responsible for coordinating with local observers to ensure a consensus on the visibility of the moon [1].
Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the start of each month depends on the physical sighting of the new crescent. The meeting on June 15 [1] was specifically called to identify the onset of Muharram-ul-Haram 1448 AH [1].
Official announcements following these meetings typically provide the date for the first of Muharram, which marks the transition into the new year. The committee's findings are used by government agencies, and religious institutions, to synchronize public holidays and commemorative events across the nation [1].
“The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee met Monday, June 15, 2026, to sight the Muharram-ul-Haram moon.”
The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee's determination is the official benchmark for the Islamic calendar in Pakistan. Because the start of the new year 1448 AH governs the timing of the mourning period of Ashura and other religious rites, the committee's decision prevents conflicting dates among different regional or sectarian groups, ensuring a unified national schedule for public observances.
