For Eid al-Azha 2025 Government Declares Four-Day Public Holiday

Islamabad: The federal government has officially announced a four-day public holiday in celebration of Eid al-Azha 2025, one of the most significant Islamic festivals observed in Pakistan and across the Muslim world. The holiday will span from Friday, June 6, to Monday, June 9, giving citizens an extended weekend to mark the occasion with religious fervour and family gatherings.

A formal notification released by the Cabinet Division on Monday confirmed the decision. “The Prime Minister has been pleased to declare the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th of June 2025 (Friday to Monday) as public holidays on the occasion of Eid al-Azha,” the official document stated.

Eid al-Azha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, falls on the 10th of Zilhaj, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It remembers how Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was ready to kill his son to please God. This story is told in all Abrahamic religions.

Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Confirms Eid al-Azha Date

After the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee (RHC) confirmed that Eid al-Azha would be celebrated on June 7, 2025, the statement was made. The date was determined after a nationwide effort to sight the moon, as the Islamic calendar is based on lunar months.

The moon sighting committee held its monthly session on the rooftop of the Kohsar Block in Islamabad, which is the headquarters of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The meeting was chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, who briefed the media after the session.

Cloudy Weather Impacts Moon Sighting Efforts

“No testimony of sighting the moon of the month of Zilhaj was received from any part of Pakistan,” Maulana Azad told reporters during a press conference. “Therefore, it was decided with consensus that Zilhaj 1, 1446 AH will fall on Thursday, May 29. Eid al-Azha will thus be observed on Saturday, June 7.”

He noted that the skies were largely overcast across the country on the evening of the moon sighting, although some regions did report clearer weather conditions. Even though vision was patchy, no reliable reports of seeing the moon came in from any zone.

Experts and Officials Present at Moon Sighting Meeting

Along with the RHC’s main meeting, parallel zonal meetings were held at the same time in all provincial capitals. These meetings brought together local scholars, government officials, and technical experts to collect and check any claims of seeing the moon.

Among those present at the Islamabad session were several key scientific and meteorological experts. These included Dr Mohammad Hasan Ali, Director of the Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics at the Pakistan Meteorological Department; Shaukatullah Khan, a senior official from the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO); and Zainul Abedin from the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The presence of both religious scholars and scientific specialists underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring accuracy and transparency in determining important Islamic dates.

Significance of Eid al-Zha and National Celebrations

Eid al-Azha marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, which is attended by millions of Muslims from around the world. While not all Muslims can perform Hajj, the spirit of sacrifice and devotion remains central to the Eid celebrations.

In Pakistan, the holiday is widely observed with prayers, the ritual slaughtering of sacrificial animals, and charitable acts towards the less fortunate. Families come together for festive meals, and communities engage in various religious and social activities.

Public Reaction and Preparations Begin Nationwide

The announcement of the extended four-day holiday has been met with widespread appreciation, particularly from employees in both the public and private sectors, who now have ample time to prepare for and enjoy the festival.

With the holiday period now officially confirmed, the nation gears up for one of the most anticipated religious events of the year. As Eid al-azha approaches, families begin preparations—buying sacrificial animals, cleaning homes, and planning festive meals to celebrate together joyfully.

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