ISLAMABAD: The expected date for Eid ul-Adha has been tentatively identified, although the final decision will be made by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
The festival is likely to be observed nationwide on Wednesday, May 27. Reports indicate that the Zil Hajj 1447 moon may be sighted on either May 17 or 18.
Based on the current lunar calendar, both government and private sector workers could enjoy a five-day holiday. If official holidays are declared from Wednesday through Sunday, citizens will have an extended period to celebrate the occasion.
Meanwhile, cattle markets, known as Maweshi Mandis, are already setting up at locations such as Karachi’s Northern Bypass and Lahore’s Shahpur Kanjra, among others across the country. Traders and owners have begun bringing in sacrificial animals, including cows, goats, and camels.
However, experts warn that animal prices are expected to be notably higher than last year, primarily due to increased costs of animal feed and the regional economic repercussions of the ongoing Middle East conflicts. These factors are anticipated to elevate the prices of sacrificial animals, adding financial strain on buyers.
Eid ul-Adha, also called the Festival of Sacrifice, is observed on the 10th of Zil Hajj, commemorating the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). The Central Ruet Hilal Committee’s moon sighting meeting to confirm Zil Hajj will be held on either May 15 or May 16.
