Dear Editor, Hajj was performed on Sunday the 7th of December 2008 at Arafat and shown live on the TV all over the world. However, we in Pakistan ‘think’ it to take place on the 8th and the Eid ul Azha a day after on the 9th December 2008. Manasik e Hajj can only be performed in Saudi Arabia at Mina, Muzdalfa, Arafat, Khana e Ka’aba and around and no where else in the world. It seems, therefore, strange that we see it happening right in front of our eyes yet, we say that no our Hajj will be tomorrow or at times even two days later. It is understandable that as we follow the lunar calendar for the Islamic events/festivals sighting of the moon and the lunar dates play a significant role in determining the day of their happening, such as the beginning of the month of Ramzan or the falling of the Eid-ul-Fitr on the first of Shawwal etc. However, sticking on to the 10th of Zilhaj for celebrating Eid ul Azha all over the world looks a little odd to me as it should be celebrated on the ACTUAL day after Hajj. And the reference for Hajj can only be taken from Mecca and no where else. We should, therefore, offer our Eid ul Azha prayers on the day these are offered at Mecca and not stick on to the 10th of Zilhaj. Celebrating it late has an other aspect also. The Sacrifice (Qurbani) has to be offered as soon as possible after performing the Hajj but not later than 72 hours of it. However, if we take ‘our’ Hajj to be two days later and then extend the Qurbani up to the allowed limit of 72 hours that is; up to its third day, will it not be in actual five days or 120 hours after the Hajj at Mecca, and thus invalid?