Rabiul Awwal expected to begin on August 15 as moon unlikely to be seen on August 13

According to the latest forecast of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal is expected to start on August 15. Officials of the Meteorological Department in Lahore have said that there is no chance of seeing the moon of Rabi Awwal 1448 Hijri on the evening of August 13.

This scientific estimate means that the current Islamic month will complete its full thirty days and the 1st of Rabi'ul Awwal will likely begin on Friday, August 15. The Central Riwat-e-Hilal Committee will traditionally hold its meeting on the scheduled date for the moon sighting and the testimonies will be collected from across the country, however, on scientific grounds, the new moon is expected to appear on August 15 only.

Important dates and schedule

• Expected start of Rabi Awwal: 15th August
• Moon sighting evening: August 13
• Forecast Issuing Agency: Meteorological Department, Lahore

As soon as the month of Rabi al-Awwal begins across the country, the preparations for the celebration of Eid Milad-ul-Nabi reach its peak. In all the big cities including Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi, street decoration, installation of green flags and Mahfil-e-Naat starts. Citizens can finalize their arrangements for these preparations keeping this forecast in mind.

What should you do now?

Wait for the official meeting and announcement of the central Sighting of the Crescent Committee around August 13. If you are planning Chiraghan, procession or Milad celebrations in your locality, complete your preparations on time with the help of this advance notice. Instructions regarding decoration and security will also be issued soon by the district administration and municipal corporations.

What to look forward to

Keep an eye on the official notice of the meeting of the Merkari Ruyat Hilal Committee and the weather conditions in different parts of the country, especially in Sindh and Punjab. Although the astronomical models of PMD are clear, the final decision for the vision will be made by the committee after examining all the evidence.