The Muharram crescent was not sighted yesterday (29 July). The first of Muharram will fall on Sunday (July 31). Youm-e-Ashur will be observed on August 9 (Tuesday), the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Friday.
The meeting for the sighting of the moon was presided over by committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad.
The statement released by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on July 29 says: “In pursuance of the decision of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, in its meeting held today at Quetta, the federal government in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony hereby announce that the moon of the Muharram-ul-Haram 1444 AH has not sighted, therefore the 1st Muharram-ul-Haram shall commence from Sunday (July 31).”
The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 in the province to maintain law and order during the first 10 days of Muharram.
