The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to convene across Pakistan today, Thursday, with the primary objective of sighting the Shawwal moon and officially declaring the date for Eid-ul-Fitr. This annual gathering holds significant importance as it determines the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the festive celebrations nationwide. Notably, Pakistan’s neighboring country Afghanistan has already commenced Eid festivities, underscoring regional variations in moon sighting practices.
Leading the session will be Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, the Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, who will oversee the entire process. His role includes collecting and evaluating eyewitness accounts of the crescent moon from various parts of the country. To ensure comprehensive coverage, zonal committees have been activated in major urban centers such as Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta. These regional bodies are tasked with gathering local testimonies and relaying them to the central committee for final consideration.
The decision on the official Eid date will be made only after meticulous verification of all moon sighting reports. This cautious approach reflects the committee’s commitment to accuracy and unity in observance. Meanwhile, Eid celebrations have already begun in Afghanistan, highlighting the differences in lunar observations across borders. In contrast, Gulf countries did not witness the crescent moon on Wednesday, which means they are expected to observe Eid on Friday, further illustrating the diverse lunar calendars followed in the Muslim world.
Scientific insights from the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) provide additional context to the moon sighting process. their astronomical calculations, the new moon was born early on Thursday morning at precisely 6:23 AM. By sunset, the moon’s age will be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes, with a visibility window of roughly 28 minutes after sunset, particularly in coastal regions. However, experts emphasize that for the crescent moon to be visible to the naked eye under normal conditions, it generally needs to be at least 19 hours old and visible for 40 to 45 minutes.
Based on these scientific parameters, both SUPARCO and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) have projected that the Shawwal crescent is unlikely to be sighted anywhere in Pakistan today. Should the moon remain unseen, Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations in Pakistan will be observed on Saturday, March 21. Despite these predictions, the final verdict rests with the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which will consider all confirmed sightings and testimonies before making an official announcement.
This annual procedure not only holds religious significance but also reflects Pakistan’s adherence to traditional moon sighting practices, balancing scientific data with community observations. The outcome of today’s meeting will bring clarity to millions of Muslims across the country eagerly awaiting the start of Eid festivities after a month of fasting and spiritual reflection.
