The crescent for the month of Shawwal was not sighted in Pakistan on Thursday consequently the Eid would celebrate Eid Al-Fitr on Saturday, April 22, the central moon-sighting committee announced.
The three-day Eid Al-Fitr festival starts on the first day of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic lunar calendar. The festival marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
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The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the country’s apex moon-sighting body, met at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Islamabad. The committee’s chairman, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, presided over the meeting.
“No credible testimony of [moon sighting] was received from any part of Pakistan,” Maulana Azad announced at a press conference in Islamabad Thursday night.
“Hence it was decided that Eid Al-Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday.”
Earlier last week the Pakistani government announced a five days holiday on account of Eid-ul-Fitr from April 21st to 25th (Friday to Tuesday).Not only this Govt also released the advanced salaries so that People can enjoy the event with full Zeal and Zest.
‘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.
