A meeting of the central and zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committees is set to held on Thursday in order to sight the Shawwal moon onset of the Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in a statement said that Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Islamabad. The meeting of the central Ruet-e-Hilal committee will be chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad in the federal capital Islamabad, while the zonal moon-sighting committees to meet at local designated locations across the country.
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The final announcement regarding the moon sighting would be made by Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad, Religious Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt said.
The ministry’s spokesperson also stated that the Committee, along with the Zonal/District Ruet-e-Hilal Committees, would use all available resources and technology to sight the crescent including telescopes, binoculars, and other advanced equipment to ensure an accurate sighting.
Some climate and weather experts claims that the Shawwal moon will be not sighted today.
‘No chance of Shawwal Moon sighting’
Earlier The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council (RHRC) said that Eid-ul-Fitr likely to fall on 22nd April 2023.
The chances of Eid falling on April 21, Friday were very low as the new crescent will be born at 9:13 am on April 20 and its age will be less than 10 hours that day.
While speaking to the media, the council’s Secretary-General, Khalid Ijaz Mufti, said that the Ruet officials is set to meet on 20th April , in order to sight the Shawwal moon.
It was unlikely that the Shawwal moon will be sighted on 21st April evening, he said, adding that if the crescent is sighted on Thursday evening, then Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, April 21.
Mufti Khalid Ijaz said that Eid ul Fitr 2023 will most likely be celebrated on April 22 after completing 30 fasting days of the holy month of Ramazan.
“The birth of the moon is expected to occur on Thursday, April 20, at 9:13am Pakistan Standard Time (PST), he said, adding that the duration of moon should be more than 19 hours and its age will be less than 10 hours in Pakistan.
“Even if the sky is clear that day [April 20], the moon wouldn’t be spotted,” Mutfi Khalid added.
Therefore, the 30th of Ramazan will be observed on 21st April , and the 1st of Shawwal will be celebrated on 22nd April , said the council.
Remember that Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the Holy month of Ramazan, during which Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. The festival is typically celebrated with prayers, family gatherings, feasting and full Zeal & Zest.
