Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of Pakistan officially announced that the Muharram moon was not sighted anywhere across Pakistan, confirming the start of the new Islamic year schedule.
Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Pakistan, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad made the final decision after receiving reports from multiple zonal committees across the country, all of which confirmed the absence of the new moon sighting.
No. F. 2(3)/DD (Q)/ 2019. In pursuance of the decision of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, in its meeting held today at Lahore, the Federal Government in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Islamabad, hereby announces that the moon of Muharram -ul- haram 1448 AH has not been sighted. Therefore, the 1st Muharram -ul- haram 1448 AH, shall commence from Wednesday, the 17th June, 2026.
Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, along with prominent scholars and zonal bodies, were earlier holding session to sight moon of first Islamic month. Citizens in various areas are also participating in the sighting process using both the naked eye and telescopic observation.
Authorities instructed masses to report any confirmed sighting to the nearest official religious committee or designated verification center to ensure proper authentication before an announcement is made.
Muharram 2026
If the crescent moon is sighted tonight, 1 Muharram 1448 AH will begin on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. If the moon is not confirmed, the current month will complete its 30-day cycle, and Muharram will begin on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
| Moon Sighting | Date |
|---|---|
| Muharram begins (if moon sighted) | June 16, 2026 |
| Muharram begins (if not sighted) | June 17, 2026 |
| Ashura (if starts June 16) | June 25, 2026 |
| Ashura (if starts June 17) | June 26, 2026 |
The final decision will rest with the official moon sighting authority after reviewing verified testimonies from across the country.
Ashura 2026 in Pakistan
The date of Youm-e-Ashura (10th Muharram) will be determined based on the confirmed start of the month. If Muharram begins on June 16, 2026, Ashura will fall on Thursday, June 25, 2026. If it begins on June 17, 2026, Ashura will be observed on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Holiday on 1st Muharram
Muharram Moon in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, the arrival of Muharram carries additional religious significance, including the traditional replacement of the Kiswah, the black cloth covering the Holy Kaaba. Preparations for the new Islamic year are also underway, with Umrah visa services having already commenced ahead of the new month.
United Arab Emirates has officially declared Monday, June 15, 2026, as a public holiday to mark the Islamic New Year, allowing residents an extended weekend break.
Meanwhile, countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Iran, and Morocco are also engaged in coordinated moon sighting efforts. However, official holiday declarations in several of these nations are still pending.
Different countries may begin Muharram on different days depending on local moon visibility criteria, with some relying strictly on domestic sightings.
Global Moon Sighting
A number of Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority countries—including the United States, Germany, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Canada, Türkiye, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Bahrain, Japan, and South Korea—are also observing the crescent in line with their respective lunar calendar practices.
In some regions such as Singapore, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, India, and Bangladesh, the start of Muharram is expected to be confirmed a day later than Pakistan, potentially placing the beginning of the new month on June 17, 2026, depending on confirmed sightings.
Ashura remains one of the most significant observances in the Islamic calendar and is marked as a public holiday in Pakistan.
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is regarded as one of the four sacred months in Islam. The 10th day, Ashura, holds deep historical and spiritual importance, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) at the Battle of Karbala, a defining event in Islamic history.
The official commencement of Muharram 1448 AH will be confirmed once credible moon sighting reports are verified and announced by national religious authorities.
Ashura 2026 date as ruet committee meets today for Muharram moon sighting
