Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee announced that Rabiul Awwal moon was not sighted; and 3rd Islamic month will start on August 15 (Saturday) and Eid-Miladun Nabi is set to fall on August 26, according to a statement from the body.
The committee’s moon-sighting process was carried out in Karachi, while officials and religious scholars also monitored the crescent from other parts of the country. No verified sighting was reported.
Muslims across Pakistan and other countries are watching the skies as Ruet body begin process of sighting crescent to announce start of Rabi-ul-Awwal 1448 AH.
Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is meeting in Islamabad today under the chairmanship of Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad to examine moon-sighting reports from across Pakistan.
Follow Pakistan Observer live updates below as developments emerge.
7:00 PM — Ruet-e-Hilal Meeting Underway
Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is currently reviewing reports concerning the Rabi-ul-Awwal crescent. Representatives of zonal and district Ruet-e-Hilal committees are involved in collecting and verifying eyewitness accounts before forwarding them to the central committee.
مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کو وزارت مذہبی امور کی چھت پر ربیع الاول کا چاند دیکھنے کی اجازت نہ ملی
مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کو کوہسار کمپلیکس کی چھت پر جانے سے روک دیا گیا
مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی اور ماہرین فلکیات نے دوربین کوہسار کمپلیکس کی پارکنگ میں لگا دی ۔
مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے… pic.twitter.com/RNzDmMgWsM— Sheraz Ahmad Sherazi (@Sherazi_Silmian) August 13, 2026
Officials from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, SUPARCO and Ministry of Science and Technology are also participating in the process through astronomical data and technical assessments.
6:30 PM — Chances of August 13 sighting remain low
According to SUPARCO’s astronomical forecast, the possibility of sighting the Rabi-ul-Awwal crescent in Pakistan on August 13 is low. Astronomical conditions are expected to be more favourable on August 14.
If the crescent is confirmed tomorrow, 1 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1448 AH will fall on Saturday, August 15.
6:00 PM — Possible date of 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal emerges
Under the August 14 sighting scenario, 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal would fall on Wednesday, August 26. The date is being closely watched because 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal is traditionally observed in Pakistan as Eid Milad-un-Nabi SAW.
Officials have stressed that the date remains subject to the final decision of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
Eid Milad in India 2026
5:30 PM — Crescent photographed in Abu Dhabi
A development has emerged from the United Arab Emirates. The International Astronomical Centre (IAC) says its Khatm Astronomical Observatory in Abu Dhabi photographed the Rabi-ul-Awwal crescent on Thursday.
The image was captured at 1:30pm UAE time.
5:15 PM — Moon was 15 hours old during UAE observation
According to the IAC, the crescent photographed in Abu Dhabi was approximately 15 hours and 21 minutes old at the time of observation. Moon was reported to be about 8.7 degrees away from the Sun.
The observation was carried out by Mohammad Odeh, with Khalfan Al Nuaimi, Osama Ghanem and Anas Mohammed also involved.
4:45 PM — UAE observation draws attention
Abu Dhabi observation comes as authorities across Muslim-majority countries assess the beginning of Rabi-ul-Awwal. However, an astronomical observation in one country does not automatically determine the official start of the month in another. Each country follows its own established moon-sighting and religious procedures.
South Africa
4:15 PM — Nigeria begins its own moon watch
In Nigeria, the Sultanate Council, Sokoto State Chapter, has called on Muslims to search for the Rabi-ul-Awwal crescent today.
The council said Thursday, August 13, 2026, corresponds to 29 Safar 1448 AH, making it the designated day for observing the new moon.
The appeal was contained in a statement dated August 12 and signed by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs.
Muslims were asked to actively look for the crescent and communicate any sighting through the appropriate traditional authorities.
Why Muslims celebrate Eid Milad
Rabi-ul-Awwal is the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar and holds particular importance for Muslims because of the traditional observance of 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal.
Across Pakistan, the occasion is commonly marked with Milad gatherings, Quran recitation, Naat, Durood-o-Salam and other religious activities.
3:00 PM — Preparations for Eid Milad-un-Nabi SAW
If August 26 is ultimately confirmed as 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal, communities across Pakistan are expected to prepare for religious gatherings and other observances associated with the occasion.
Homes, mosques and streets are traditionally decorated, while scholars and religious speakers highlight the Seerah, character and teachings of Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Final authority remains with Ruet-e-Hilal Committee
Despite astronomical calculations and reported observations from other countries, Pakistan’s official date will depend on the decision of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
The committee is expected to announce its decision after reviewing testimonies and relevant technical information.
What happens next?
The key development expected today is whether a credible and officially acceptable sighting of the crescent is reported from Pakistan. If the committee does not establish a sighting today, attention will shift to Friday, August 14, when astronomical conditions are expected to be more favourable.
1:30 PM — August 15 remains a possible first day
Based on the current astronomical forecast, Saturday, August 15 is the projected first day of Rabi-ul-Awwal if the crescent is established on August 14. That would place 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal on August 26.
These dates are projections, not yet an official announcement.
1:00 PM — Moon-sighting process continues
Zonal and district committees remain an important part of the process, gathering observations from different regions and forwarding verified reports to the central committee. The final decision will take into account the evidence presented during the proceedings.
Rabiul Awal moon 2026 update as Pakistan’s Ruet committee meets today
