Saudi Arabia has announced the first day of Muharram after the crescent moon was not sighted on Friday, July 5.
The new Islamic year will commence in the Kingdom on Sunday, July 7, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia announced in a statement. Zilhajj will last for 30 days, with Saturday, July 6, being the last day of the month.
The Supreme Court stated in a statement: “The Crescent Sighting Committee of the Supreme Court decided that Saturday, 30/12/1445 AH according to the Umm Al Qura calendar, corresponding to July 6, 2024 AD, will be the completion of the month of Dhul Hijjah for the year 1445 AH as thirty days, and that Sunday, 1/1/1446 AH according to the Umm al-Qura calendar, corresponding to July 7, 2024 AD, will be the first day of the month of Muharram for the year 1446 AH.”
Ashura holidays in Pakistan
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the authorities are set to sight the moon for the new Islamic month today. The exact dates for Ashura holidays in the country hinge on the decision of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee regarding the sighting of the Muharram moon.
If the moon is sighted on the evening of July 6, then Muharram 1 will fall on July 7. Consequently, Ashura will be observed on July 15 and 16, corresponding to Monday and Tuesday. In this scenario, the public holidays will also be on July 15 and 16.
Alternatively, if the new Islamic year commences on July 8, then Ashura will be marked on July 16 and 17. This would result in public holidays on July 16 and 17, which are Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
