Eid-ul-Adha 2023 moon sighting highlight: Dhul Hijjah crescent sighted in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh. Bakrid on June 29

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee at Pakistan met under the chairmanship of Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad in Karachi and has now announced the sighting of Dhul Hijjah moon, which means that Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated across Pakistan on Thursday, June 29.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, the oldest and largest socio-religious organisation of Indian Muslims, tweeted, “The Moon of Zul Hijjah Sighted. The 1st of Zul Hijjah will be on June 20 and Eid- ul-Azha will be on June 29, 2023 (sic).”

The official statement by National Moon Sighting Committee Bangladesh read, “The Dhul Hijjah moon was seen in different parts of Bangladesh on Monday (June 19) evening. Apart from this, the National Moon Sighting Committee has also announced this in the meeting room of the Islamic Foundation at the National Mosque, Baitul Mukarram. Consequently, the counting of the holy month of Zilhaj will begin from Tuesday (June 20). Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated across Bangladesh on June 29, 2023.”

Markazi Chand Committee of Lucknow announces Eid-ul-Adha date as June 29, 2023 as Dhul Hijjah crescent moon sighted today on Monday evening ie June 19.

Religious Affairs Ministry Bangladesh has appealed Muslims in the country to sight and witness the crescent or the new moon of the Holy month of Dhul Hijjah 1444 H today ie Monday June 19, 2023, to decide when Eid-ul-Adha 2023 will be celebrated this year.

Traditionally, Muslim communities rely on eyewitness testimonies from reliable sources to confirm the sighting of the new moon where local religious authorities or committees often oversee the process and skilled observers are appointed to look for the crescent moon shortly after sunset on the 29th day of the preceding Islamic month. If the moon is sighted and confirmed by these individuals, the announcement of the onset of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah (the twelfth or last month of the Islamic or lunar calendar) is announced and simultaneously, the date of Eid-ul-Adha is declared.

However, if the moon is not sighted, the month of Dhul Hijjah is extended by a day and the moon sighting process is repeated on the following evening after maghrib prayers. In recent years, advancements in technology have facilitated the moon sighting process and many Muslims now use astronomical calculations and scientific data to predict the visibility of the moon accurately.

This approach combines traditional practices with scientific knowledge to determine the start of the Islamic month but it is important to note that different regions or communities may follow different methods and criteria for moon sighting. Some rely solely on local sightings while others consider global sightings or rely on official announcements from designated authorities however, the goal is to ensure the unity and consensus within the Muslim community regarding the start of important Islamic events such as Eid-ul-Adha.

The new moon marks the beginning of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, the tenth day of which is celebrated as Eid-ul-Adha. However, the moon sighting process varies depending on the region and local traditions.

The Australian National Imams Council announced that Wednesday, June 28, 2023 will be celebrated as Eid Al-Adha for the Al-Hijri 1444H or the year 2023.

Eid-ul-Adha 2023 is just around the corner and if you are looking for a unique hijab style that reflects your personality and makes you feel comfortable and confident, here are 10 fashion tips to choose from

The Dhul Hijjah moon was not sighted by Muslims in Malaysia on June 19 hence, the Keeper of the Great Seal of the Malay Kings announced that Dhul Qadah month shall complete 30 days and Dhul Hijjah month in Malaysia shall commence from June 20 while Hari Raya Aidiladha or Eid al-Adha shall be celebrated on June 29.

The Dhul Hijjah moon was not sighted by Muslims in Indonesia on June 19 hence, the Deputy Minister of Religion of Indonesia Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi announced that Dhul Qadah month shall complete 30 days and Dhul Hijjah month in Indonesia shall commence from June 20 while Iduladha or Eid al-Adha will be celebrated there on June 29.

The first day of Dhul Hijjah in Singapore will be on Tuesday, June 20 2023 hence, Mufti Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir announced that Hari Raya Haji will fall on Thursday, June 29 2023.

Pakistan's Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will be held in Karachi today for the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon while zonal committees will hold meetings in various cities including Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar on the same day.

This year, Muslims in India will gear up to sight the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah post the evening or maghrib prayers on June 19 and if it is sighted, the firt day of the month of Dhul Hijjah will be marked on June 20 and Eid-ul-Adha in the country will be celebrated on June 29 otherwise on June 30. This is because the beginning of the Islamic month of Dhu Al-Hijjah marks the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia (one of Islam's five pillars) and is followed by Eid al Adha on the tenth day.