The crescent moon marking the beginning of Safar 1448 Hijri is anticipated to be sighted throughout Pakistan on Wednesday, July 15, as per the latest projections from the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). This observation is crucial for determining the start of the second month in the Islamic lunar calendar.
In a significant development, SUPARCO confirmed that the new moon was officially born at 2:44 PM on Tuesday, July 14. This timing sets favorable conditions for the moon’s visibility on the evening of July 15. The crescent moon’s appearance is a key event for the Muslim community, as it signals the commencement of Safar, following the month of Muharram.
Meanwhile, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to convene in Islamabad later today to make the official announcement regarding the start of Safar. Their decision will be based on both astronomical data and actual moon sighting reports from across the country.
SUPARCO highlighted that at sunset on July 15, the moon will be approximately 29 hours old, which significantly enhances the chances of spotting the crescent. In coastal regions, there is expected to be a delay of about 65 minutes between sunset and moonset, providing an optimal time frame for observers to witness the moon. Based on these calculations and observations, the first day of Safar is projected to fall on Thursday, July 16.
