ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has made an important announcement, declaring a public holiday on the Day of Arafah, which will take place on June 28, 2023 (Wednesday). This decision comes shortly after the government had already approved a three-day holiday for Eid ul Adha, scheduled to begin on June 29.
Extended Eid ul Adha Holidays
The official announcement superseded previous orders and was conveyed through a statement issued by the Cabinet Division. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s approval extends the Eid ul Adha holidays in the following manner:
For offices observing five days of work in a week, the holidays will be observed on June 28, 29, and 30, 2023 (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday).
For offices observing six days of work in a week, the holidays will be observed from June 28 to July 1, 2023 (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).
Moon Sighting Confirms Eid ul Adha Date
The decision was made after careful consideration and consultation with relevant authorities. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, led by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, confirmed the sighting of the Zil Hajj moon in Pakistan. Consequently, Eid ul Adha will be celebrated nationwide on June 29, 2023 (Thursday).
Testimonies and Input from Various Sources
Testimonies of moon sightings were received from various cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and others. The meeting chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, SUPARCO, Department of Meteorology, and Ministry of Science and Technology.
Influence of Zonal Committees
The decision was also influenced by the valuable input provided by the zonal committees of Ruet-e-Hilal. These committees met in their respective cities to assess the reports on moon sightings.
Government Aims to Facilitate Festivities
With these announcements, the government aims to facilitate the citizens in observing the religious festivities associated with Eid ul Adha and ensure a harmonious celebration across the country.
(Islamabad51-Newsdesk)
