The government has issued a notification declaring a nationwide public holiday on September 29 to celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi (12th Rabi ul Awwal).
Chairman of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, Abdul Khabeer Azad, announced that the new Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal would begin on September 18, with Eid Milad-un-Nabi falling on September 29 (Friday).
The decision was made after a meeting of the committee, attended by religious scholars and weather experts from different schools of thought. Zonal committees in major cities also reported their observations on moon sightings.
Maulana Azad, speaking at a press conference following the meeting, stated, “The committee unanimously agreed that the month of Rabi ul Awal will commence on September 18 (Monday).”
Eid Milad-un-Nabi, also known as the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, is celebrated by Muslims around the world on the 12th of Rabiul Awwal, which is the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar.