Every year, millions of people in Pakistan wait on the evening of the 29th of Ramadan to hear whether Eid is tomorrow. The answer depends on whether the new crescent moon has been seen.
Who decides?
In Pakistan, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, working with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, meets on the 29th of each Islamic month. Zonal committees across the country collect reports of the moon being sighted, and the central committee then announces whether the new month begins the next day. If the moon is not seen, the month completes 30 days.
Why is Pakistan often a day after Saudi Arabia?
The new crescent is very thin and low on the horizon for the first evening after the new moon, and it becomes visible further west first. Saudi Arabia is west of Pakistan, and its calendar (Umm al-Qura) is set in advance using astronomical rules. Pakistan relies on an actual sighting, so when the crescent is too faint to see from Pakistan on the first evening, Eid here falls one day later.
Expected dates
In Pakistan, Eid ul Fitr is expected on Wednesday, March 10, 2027 and Eid ul Adha on Monday, May 17, 2027. These are one day after the Saudi (Umm al-Qura) dates, which is the usual pattern; the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee confirms the final day. Our countdowns for Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha show both the date and the Hijri date.
Why not just use calculations?
Astronomers can predict exactly when the new moon happens and roughly when a crescent becomes visible. Scholars differ on whether a calculation can replace an actual sighting. Pakistan follows the practice of physical sighting, which is why the final word comes on the evening itself.