Two Islamic countries announce sighting of Dhul-Hijjah moon

ANKARA: The moon of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the lunar year 1447 AH, has been confirmed in Tunisia and Turkey.

According to the report, Tunisia has become the first country to officially announce the start of Dhul-Hijjah, where Saturday, May 16, was declared the 29th of Dhul-Qa’dah and the moon was confirmed.

On the other hand, Turkey has also declared Monday, May 18, as the 1st of Dhul-Hijjah.

It should be noted that instead of the traditional method of moon-sighting in Turkey, a pre-prepared Islamic calendar based on astronomical calculations is followed, under which this date has been fixed.

On the other hand, preparations are being made in most other Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, to sight the moon of Dhul-Hijjah on the evening of Sunday, May 17, where the authorities will officially announce the dates of Eid al-Adha after the moon is sighted on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, in Pakistan, a meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has begun to sight the moon of Zul-Hijjah, which is being chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad.

An official announcement will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee if evidence regarding the sighting of the moon is received.