ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs on Monday announced that the Muharram 1448 AH moon was not sighted in the country and the first of Muharram will fall on June 17.

Ashura will be observed on June 26.

In a notification, the ministry said: “In pursuance of the decision of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee in its meeting held today in Lahore, the federal government in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Islamabad, hereby announces that the moon of Muharram 1448 AH has not been sighted.”

“Therefore, the 1st Muharram 1448 AH shall commence from Wednesday, June 17, 2026,” it added.

Earlier, Ruet-i-Hilal Committee met in Iqbal Hall, Badshahi Mosque in Lahore to sight the moon on the holy month of the Islamic calendar.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2026