Muharram Moon
The crescent moon for Muharram has not been sighted in Pakistan, and the first day of the month will fall on Monday, July 8, as announced by Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad on Saturday. This means that Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, will be observed on July 17.
The announcement followed a meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Quetta, where they gathered to sight the crescent moon of Muharramul Haram 1446 Hijri.
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad chaired the session, which is an annual event to determine the beginning of the Islamic calendar’s first month.
Simultaneously, meetings of zonal and district Ruet-e-Hilal Committees were held at their respective headquarters across the country.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had earlier forecasted that the sighting of the Muharram moon would be unlikely due to partly cloudy or cloudy weather conditions in most parts of the country.
The Met Office had indicated that the new moon would be born at the conjunction point at 03:57 PST on July 6.
Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islam. The 10th day, Ashura, holds significant historical and religious importance, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his family in the Battle of Karbala.
During Muharram, processions and majalis are held nationwide, with religious scholars addressing large gatherings. Security is heightened during this period, with thousands of law enforcement personnel deployed to maintain order.
To prevent the spread of hate material on the internet during Muharram, provincial governments have sought the suspension of six social media applications for about a week. This measure aims to ensure that security is not compromised.
Additionally, the Sindh government has banned 143 ulema and zakireen for 60 days as a precautionary measure.
In Punjab, the government has requested the services of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers and announced a ban on pillion riding across the province.
However, as of Friday, the federal government had not made any decisions regarding the suspension of internet services during Muharram, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior.
The comprehensive security measures reflect the significance of Muharram and Ashura in Pakistan, highlighting the authorities’ efforts to maintain peace and order during this sacred period.
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