The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) has gathered in Islamabad to conduct the crucial moon sighting session for the Shawwal crescent, which will officially mark the conclusion of Ramadan and establish the date for Eid ul Fitr 2026. This annual meeting holds significant religious importance as it confirms the end of the holy month of fasting and the beginning of the festive celebrations observed by millions across Pakistan.
Presiding over the session is Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, the chairman of the RHC, who is leading the deliberations with the participation of zonal and district moon sighting committees. These regional committees are simultaneously assembled at various headquarters throughout the country, each tasked with observing the sky for the elusive crescent moon. Their combined reports will play a pivotal role in finalizing the Eid date, ensuring that the decision is based on verified moon sightings from multiple locations.
It is important to highlight that the Shawwal crescent was not visible in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, on the evening of Wednesday, March 18. Consequently, those nations have announced that Eid ul Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, March 20. Meanwhile, Afghanistan has already commenced Eid festivities today, reflecting regional variations in moon sighting and religious observance. This divergence underscores the complexities involved in lunar calendar calculations and the reliance on direct moon observations to determine Islamic dates.
Experts suggest that in Pakistan, the first day of Shawwal is more likely to fall on March 21, 2026, following a complete 30-day cycle of Ramadan. The possibility of sighting the crescent on the evening of March 19 is considered low due to astronomical factors. The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has provided scientific data supporting this view, stating that the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH is expected to be born at 06:23 Pakistan Standard Time on March 19. At sunset that day, the moon will be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes old, with only a 28-minute interval between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal belt, conditions that make crescent visibility challenging.
Ramadan in Pakistan began on February 19, 2026, marking the start of a month-long period of fasting, spiritual reflection, and community bonding for Muslims. The Islamic calendar is lunar-based, with months lasting either 29 or 30 days, and the beginning of each month is traditionally determined by the sighting of the crescent moon. This lunar system causes Islamic months to shift approximately 10 days earlier each year relative to the Gregorian calendar, which is solar-based. As the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan’s timing varies annually, affecting the scheduling of Eid celebrations worldwide.
The arrival of Eid ul Fitr is eagerly anticipated by over a billion Muslims globally, who observe the festival with prayers, feasts, and acts of charity after completing the rigorous fast. This joyous occasion symbolizes spiritual renewal and communal harmony. The current moon sighting efforts reflect the deep religious devotion and cultural significance attached to the lunar calendar in Islamic tradition.
The situation remains fluid, with updates expected as the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee finalizes its observations and announces the official Eid date. Communities across Pakistan await the committee’s decision, which will guide the nation’s celebrations and religious observances for this important festival.
