Pakistan is set to celebrate Eid ul Fitr on Saturday, March 21, after the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) confirmed that no credible sightings of the Shawwal crescent moon were reported from anywhere in the country. This announcement was made official by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Chairman of the RHC, during a press conference held in Islamabad. The decision follows the traditional Islamic lunar calendar, where the beginning of each month is marked by the sighting of the new crescent moon, making the dates of Ramadan and Eid shift annually in relation to the Gregorian calendar.
The process of moon sighting in Pakistan involves a rigorous system of verification. The zonal committee in Peshawar had received multiple testimonies claiming to have sighted the crescent moon. In total, six reports were submitted, including five over the phone and one from an eyewitness who appeared in person at the committee meeting. These accounts were then forwarded to the central committee of the RHC for thorough scrutiny. The committee adheres strictly to Shariah-based criteria, ensuring that only verified and authentic reports influence the official declaration of Eid.
It is worth noting that the Islamic month can last either 29 or 30 days depending on the moon’s visibility. This year, Ramadan began in Pakistan on February 19, and since the Shawwal moon was not sighted on the 29th day, the month of Ramadan completed its full 30 days. Meteorological experts provided additional insight, explaining that although the moon was theoretically positioned at an angle of 271.36 degrees in Islamabad, the conditions were not favorable for its visibility. The sun set at 6:22 pm, while the moon was expected to become visible at 6:51 pm. However, for the crescent to be seen clearly, it must be at least 19 hours and 20 minutes old, whereas the moon’s age in Islamabad was only 12 hours and 23 minutes at that time. These factors made the possibility of spotting the crescent moon anywhere in Pakistan extremely unlikely.
Meanwhile, in a related development, neighboring India is also preparing to celebrate Eid ul Fitr on Saturday. Clerics in cities such as Lucknow and Hyderabad reported no confirmed sightings of the Shawwal crescent, leading to a similar decision. However, the Jama Masjid in Delhi has yet to issue an official statement regarding the moon sighting. Across Southeast Asia, Indonesia has also announced that Eid will be observed on Saturday after the moon was not sighted there either.
It is important to highlight that Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, did not sight the Shawwal moon on Wednesday, resulting in Eid celebrations being held a day earlier on Friday. Contrastingly, Afghanistan observed Eid ul Fitr today, following their own moon sighting protocols. This divergence in moon sighting and Eid dates is a common occurrence in the Muslim world due to geographical and atmospheric differences.
Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a sacred month during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset and engage in increased prayer and charitable giving. This year’s Ramadan festivities across the globe have been overshadowed by escalating tensions and conflict in the Middle East. The ongoing war, sparked by recent attacks involving the US, Israel, and Iran, has led to repeated missile and drone strikes targeting airports, residential neighborhoods, energy infrastructure, and military bases in the Gulf region. Despite these challenges, Muslims worldwide continue to uphold the spiritual significance of Ramadan and look forward to celebrating Eid ul Fitr with family and community.
