ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s central moon sighting committee will meet in the country’s capital today, Sunday, to sight the Shawwal moon and announce the date for Eid Al-Fitr, state-run media reported.
In Pakistan, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is tasked with sighting the moon for new Islamic months. Dates for Ramadan and Eid festivals are confirmed by the committee through visual observations and based on testimonies received of the crescent being sighted from several parts of the country.
The sighting of the new moon, or the Shawwal crescent, signifies the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid Al-Fitr and its festivities.
“The meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will be held this evening to sight the Moon of Shawwal,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
It said RHC Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad will preside over the meeting, which will be held at the rooftop of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in Islamabad.
The state broadcaster said zonal meetings of the committee to sight the moon will simultaneously be held in Pakistan’s provincial capitals.
Ramadan in Pakistan began on Mar. 2, a day later than in most other Muslim countries, and Eid is thus widely expected to fall on Mar. 31.
The Shawwal moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, marking the end of the month of Ramadan. Eid Al-Fitr is being celebrated in the Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern countries today.
