The Punjab government has announced a public holiday on April 12, 2025, for "Mela Chiraghan" in Lahore. The provincial government’s services and general administration department issued a notification confirming this.
The notice states that there will be a local holiday in Lahore District on Saturday, April 12, 2025, to mark the "Annual Urs Mubarak of Hazrat Shah Hussain (RA)" or Mela Chiraghan. However, the holiday will only be observed in Lahore District and its subordinate offices. It will not apply to the offices of the Punjab Civil Secretariat or its regional offices.
Mela Chiraghan, or Mela Shalimar, is a three-day celebration held annually to honor the death anniversary of Shah Hussain, a 16th-century Punjabi poet and Sufi saint who lived in Lahore.
In other news, Eid ul Adha, one of Pakistan's major festivals, is expected to be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025, according to early predictions. However, the final date will be confirmed by Pakistan's moon sighting committee, which follows the traditional Ruet-e-Hilal method.
Meanwhile, in the UAE, the Emirates Astronomy Society predicts the crescent moon marking the start of Dhul Hijjah will be visible on the evening of May 27, 2025. This suggests that Zilhajj will begin on May 28, with Eid ul Adha likely falling on Friday, June 6, 2025, in the UAE.
It's important to note that while these predictions offer an estimate, the actual dates may vary depending on the country and local moon visibility.
Eid ul Adha celebrates the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.), who was ready to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command. A key part of the celebration is Qurbani, where Muslims sacrifice animals like cows, goats, sheep, or camels, in line with Islamic guidelines. The meat is then shared with family, friends, and those in need, reflecting the festival's spirit of charity and compassion.
