Muharram Moon Not Sighted in Pakistan; Ashura to Fall on June 26, 2026
The Ministry of Religious Affairs in Pakistan has announced that the Muharram 1448 AH moon was not sighted in the country. Consequently, the first day of Muharram will be observed on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, with Ashura scheduled for June 26, 2026. This decision follows a meeting of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee held in Lahore.
Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony confirmed on Monday that the Muharram 1448 AH moon was not sighted across the nation. This announcement was made following a meeting of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee in Lahore.
As a result of the committee's decision, the first day of Muharram 1448 AH is set to commence on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Ashura, a significant day of mourning within the Islamic calendar, will be observed nine days later, on June 26, 2026.
Muharram marks the first month of the Islamic calendar and is primarily recognized as a month of mourning, particularly by Shia Muslims globally. It commemorates the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, an event where Imam Husain (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and other family members were martyred or subjected to humiliation.
In observance of Ashura, the Government of Pakistan typically declares two public holidays on the ninth and tenth of Muharram. Religious processions are also customarily held throughout the country during this period.
According to Dawn Pakistan, the official notification from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in Islamabad confirmed the unsighted moon and the corresponding dates.
