Zil Hajj moon expected to be sighted in Pakistan today

Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) Chief Sardar Sarfaraz said that the moon for the month of Zil Hajj is expected to be sighted on June 7 (today) in the country.

“There are strong chances of the moon being sighted on June 7 as by then, it will be of more than 26 hours,” he said while talking to a private news channel.

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet today in Karachi for the Zil Hajj moon sighting.

The moon sighting will mark the start of the holy month of Hajj, the month when Muslims from around the world visit Saudi Arabia to perform the sacred pilgrimage in Makkah's Grand Mosque and other locations in the city, including Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.

After performing Hajj on the Day of Arafat, Muslims across the globe will celebrate Eid ul Adha on the 10th day of Zil Hajj.

The day of Eid ul Adha is likely to fall on June 17 in Pakistan, according to the Met office head.

Animals such as cows, goats and camels are slaughtered on Eid ul Adha to commemorate a sacrifice by the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) on God's command.

On the other hand, the Meat Merchants Association (MMA) has released the rate list for slaughtering animals on Eid-ul-Adha 2024.

According to the association, the rate for slaughtering a cow/bull on the first day of Eid ul Adha will be Rs20,000, while the rate for a goat has been fixed at Rs10,000.

The rate for sacrificing a camel has been set at Rs40,000, MMA said.

The association announced that the slaughtering rates would be almost half on the second and third day of the festival. 

A day earlier, the crescent for the holy month was sighted in Saudi Arabia.

“Arafat Day falls on Saturday, June 15, while Sunday, June 16 will be the first day of Eid Al Adha,” said a statement posted on the news website.