Pakistan’s premier space agency, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), has released an astronomical forecast regarding the likely date for the upcoming celebration of Eid al-Adha. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the agency predicted that the religious festival is expected to be observed on May 27 across Pakistan. This scientific projection is based on the birth and visibility parameters of the new crescent moon for the Islamic month of Zulhijjah for the year 1447 Hijri.
The detailed forecast provided by SUPARCO indicates that the new moon for Zulhijjah is expected to be born at 1:01 AM on May 17. By sunset on that day, the moon will be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes old. Furthermore, the agency noted that in the coastal regions of Pakistan, the gap between sunset and moonset is projected to be around 60 minutes. These astronomical conditions are considered favorable for the sighting of the crescent on the evening of May 17, provided that weather conditions remain clear and visibility is not hampered by environmental factors.
According to the agency`s timeline, if the moon is sighted on May 17, the first day of Zulhijjah will fall on Monday, May 18. This would mark the conclusion of the ongoing month of Zilqad. Following the traditional Islamic calendar, which marks Eid al-Adha on the 10th day of Zulhijjah, the festival would subsequently occur on Wednesday, May 27. This advance information helps the public and administrative bodies prepare for the logistical demands of the sacrificial festival, which is one of the most significant events in the Muslim calendar.
Despite the precision of these scientific calculations, SUPARCO emphasized that its role is strictly advisory. The final and official announcement regarding the start of the Islamic month and the date of Eid remains the sole prerogative of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. This committee is responsible for making decisions based on actual human sightings and testimonies gathered from various parts of the country. Historically, while scientific data often aligns with religious observations, the formal declaration always follows the established protocols of the religious authority.
Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, is celebrated by Muslims globally to commemorate the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). The festival involves the ritual sacrifice of livestock and the distribution of meat to the needy. As the predicted dates approach, millions of people in Pakistan and neighboring regions will be looking toward the skies on May 17. While SUPARCO`s data offers a high degree of certainty from a scientific perspective, the official word from the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will be the definitive guide for the millions of faithful preparing for the holy occasion.
