- Youm-e-Ashura, 10th of Muharram, will be observed on July 17 (Wednesday)
QUETTA: Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad on Saturday announced that the Muharram moon has not been sighted in the country and first of Muharram will fall on Monday (July 8).
Addressing a press conference after the committee’s meeting in Quetta, Maulana Azad said that Youm-e-Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, will be observed on July 17 (Wednesday).
He informed that the committee’s meeting was held at the deputy commissioner’s office while zonal committees also held meetings in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi.
“No testimony was received from any part of the country about the sighting of the moon,” he said, adding that it was thus consensually decided that the first of the month would be observed on July 8.
Maulana Azad said Muharram was counted amongst the most sacred months with many historic events taking place in it.
It commemorates the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, where amongst many, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAAW), Imam Husain, was martyred and other family members were martyred.
Keeping in view the need for extra security due to the spike in religious activity during the first 10 days of Muharram, authorities make arrangements accordingly.
On the hand, the Punjab government imposed Section 144 across the province for security during Ashura Muharram in the light of “potential threats to public tranquillity, sectarian harmony and general law and order situation”.
According to an order issued by the Home Department, Section 144 would remain in place during the first 10 days of Muharram. The law empowers authorities to issue orders in the public interest that may place a ban on an activity for a specific period of time.
Yesterday, the provincial government, through a letter to the interior ministry, had sought the deployment of 150 Pakistan Army and Rangers companies to maintain law and order across the province during Muharram.
