KARACHI, May 12 — The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) announced on Tuesday that Eid ul Azha is expected to be celebrated across Pakistan on May 27. Based on astronomical parameters, the national space agency predicted that the new moon of Zilhajj 1447 AH will likely be sighted on the evening of May 17, provided weather conditions remain clear. While the forecast provides a technical timeline for the lunar month, Suparco clarified that the final religious declaration rests with the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee.
Pakistan is expected to begin Zil Hajj on 18 May, which would place Eid ul Azha on 27 May 2026 if the crescent is sighted as forecast 🧵 pic.twitter.com/M1r3UrgkNP
— ProPakistani (@ProPakistaniPK) May 12, 2026
Quick Facts
- Eid ul Azha is anticipated to fall on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
- The Zilhajj moon is expected to be born at 1:01 AM on May 17.
- The moon’s age at sunset on May 17 will be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes.
- A 60-minute interval between sunset and moonset is expected along Pakistan’s coastal belt.
- The first day of Zilhajj 1447 AH is projected to begin on Monday, May 18.
- The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee remains the sole authority for the final moon-sighting announcement.
According to Suparco’s statement, the visibility of the crescent on May 17 is considered favorable due to the moon’s age and the significant lag time after sunset. This technical data suggests that the month of Zilqad will conclude after 29 days, leading to the commencement of the holy month of Zilhajj on May 18. The agency’s scientific projections are routinely used by the government and the public to plan for the upcoming religious holidays.
Despite the high probability of the scientific forecast, the agency underscored that Islamic tradition requires credible witness testimonies and verified physical observations. The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee will convene on the evening of May 17 to collect evidence from across the country before making the official announcement. This dual approach of scientific forecasting and traditional sighting ensures both planning accuracy and religious compliance for the national festival.
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