Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, convened on 17 May to examine moon-sighting testimonies received from across the country.
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad officially announced that the Dhul Hijja crescent had been sighted, confirming that Eid ul-Adha will be observed on Wednesday, 27 May 2025.
Testimonies confirming the sighting of the crescent moon were received from multiple locations across Pakistan, satisfying the legal and religious threshold required for the official moon declaration.
Astronomical forecast for Pakistan
Pakistani astronomers stated that the new moon was born at 1:01 AM on 17 May, meaning the crescent would be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes old by the following evening.
Astronomers added that clear weather conditions on the evening of 17 May would provide strong and favourable visibility conditions for sighting the Dhul Hijja crescent across Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court announcement
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court formally announced the sighting of the Dhul Hijja crescent moon, as reported by Arab media outlets covering the official religious authority’s statement.
The kingdom confirmed that 1 Dhul Hijja falls on 18 May, the Day of Arafah will be observed on 26 May, and Eid ul-Adha will fall on 27 May.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will observe Eid ul-Adha on the same date, a development that holds significant religious importance for Muslims in both countries and worldwide.
Indonesia, Tunisia, and Turkey align on 27 May
Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs announced the sighting of the Dhul Hijja crescent moon, confirming that Eid ul-Adha will be celebrated on Wednesday, 27 May 2025.
Tunisia became the 1st country to officially declare the start of Dhul Hijja, after the crescent moon was confirmed on 16 May, the 29th of the month of Dhul Qada.
Turkey also declared 18 May as 1 Dhul Hijja, though it follows a pre-calculated Islamic calendar based on astronomical data rather than the traditional physical moon-sighting method.
