The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council has predicted that the crescent moon marking the beginning of Muharram is unlikely to be sighted in Pakistan on June 15, 2026.
According to the council’s Secretary General, Khalid Ijaz Mufti, the new moon will be born at 7:54 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time on June 15.
However, by sunset that evening, the moon’s age will be less than 12 hours across all parts of the country, whereas a moon age of more than 18 hours is generally considered necessary for crescent sighting.
Mufti explained that the time interval between sunset and moonset is also an important factor in determining the visibility of the crescent. On June 15, this interval will be approximately 37 minutes in Karachi and 42 minutes in Peshawar. Despite these favourable intervals, the moon’s young age will make sighting impossible.
He further stated that, due to the moon being less than 18 hours old, the crescent will not be visible on the evening of June 15, even under clear weather conditions and with the aid of binoculars or telescopes.
According to the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, the first day of Muharram 1448 AH is expected to fall on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, following the completion of 30 days of Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH.
However, the council emphasised that the official Shariah-based decision and final announcement regarding the sighting of the Muharram moon and the beginning of the new Islamic year will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
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