QUETTA: The Muharram moon was not sighted anywhere in the country on Tuesday, Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad told a press conference.

The year 1445 of the Islamic calendar will begin on Thursday (July 20) and Ashura will be observed on Saturday (July 29).

The central moon-sighting body met in the Balochistan capital while the zonal and district committees held meetings at their headquarters.

Umar Butt, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, said the announcement was made after thorough deliberations and with consensus of all stakeholders.

“The Ruet-i-Hilal Committee’s decision was based on credible and solid testimonies from reputable sources,” he added.

Participants of the meeting called upon ulema and community leaders to help the government foster brotherhood and sectarian harmony during Muharram, the spokesperson said.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2023