Islamabad: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to meet today to sight the moon marking the beginning of Muharram-ul-Haram 1448 AH, the first month of the Islamic calendar.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the meeting will be held at the historic Badshahi Mosque in Lahore under the chairmanship of Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. The committee will review moon sighting reports received from across the country before announcing the start of the new Islamic year.
Alongside the central meeting, zonal and district Ruet-e-Hilal committees are also expected to convene in various parts of Pakistan to collect and verify moon sighting testimonies.
Saudi Arabia to Hold Moon Sighting Session
Saudi Arabia is also expected to conduct its own moon sighting session this evening. Religious authorities in the Kingdom will assess reports from different regions before declaring the beginning of Muharram.
The announcement from Saudi Arabia is closely followed by Muslims around the world, although individual countries determine the start of Islamic months according to their own moon sighting procedures and religious guidelines.
Significance of Muharram
Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islam and marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar. The month holds great religious significance for Muslims worldwide, particularly because of the remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala.
The first ten days of Muharram, especially Ashura on the 10th of Muharram, are observed with devotion, reflection, and various religious activities across the Muslim world.
Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba to Be Replaced
A significant annual tradition associated with the beginning of Muharram is the replacement of the Kiswa (the black cloth covering the Holy Kaaba) in Makkah.
As in recent years, the Kiswa is scheduled to be changed on 1st Muharram, coinciding with the start of the new Islamic year. The process is carried out by specialized teams under the supervision of Saudi authorities and involves carefully removing the existing covering and replacing it with a newly crafted one embroidered with Quranic verses in gold and silver threads.
Change in Tradition
Historically, the Kiswa was replaced during the month of Dhul-Hijjah, particularly around the Hajj season. However, Saudi authorities later revised the schedule, and the annual replacement now takes place on the first day of Muharram.
The change was introduced to better organize the process and preserve the condition of the Kiswa during the large gatherings associated with Hajj.
Awaiting Official Announcement
Muslims in Pakistan and other countries are now awaiting the official announcement from the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee regarding the sighting of the Muharram moon. The committee’s decision will determine the date of 1st Muharram 1448 AH and the observance of related religious events in the country.
The final announcement is expected later today following the conclusion of the committee’s meeting and verification of moon sighting reports from across Pakistan.
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