The crucial meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to sight the Ramazan moon concluded in Peshawar. Its chairman, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, announced that the first fast is likely to be observed on February 19
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad presided over the committee meeting at the Auqaf Department in Peshawar and later held a press conference to announce the decision.
The committee reviewed moon sighting reports received from across the country before making a final announcement. Sources said five testimonies were received from Upper Dir, Buner and other cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In all, over 20 moon-sighting testimonies were received from across the country.
Moreover, two people have reported sighting the moon in Jamrud Ghandi in Khyber district. The moon was also sighted in Landikotal and its suburbs, while moon sighting testimony and a photo were received from Jamrud. Khyber district announced observing the first day of fasting tomorrow.
In total, 11 testimonies of moon sighting had been received from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Several areas of Kohlu and Chaman in Balochistan also reported the sighting of the moon and presented pictures.
Met Dept predicts strong chances
The Meteorological Department had earlier said there was a strong possibility of the Ramazan moon being sighted today. Officials had stated that the first fast of Ramazan was likely to fall tomorrow if the crescent was confirmed.
Also Read: When is 1st Ramazan in Pakistan? Find out here
Experts revealed that the birth of the Ramazan moon took place at 5:15pm last evening. At sunset today, the moon’s age was approximately 25 hours.
SUPARCO forecasts first Ramazan on Feb 19
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SPARC) had also projected that the first Ramazan would likely be observed on February 19.
According to SUPARCO, at sunset the moon’s age was 25 hours and 48 minutes. In coastal areas, the time between sunset and moonset was approximately 59 minutes, making visibility conditions favorable.
Officials had said the chances of moon sighting across the country were very bright.
Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meetings
Lahore meeting
In Lahore, the meeting of the Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to sight the Ramazan moon was chaired by the Auqaf and Religious Affairs DG Shahid Hassan Kalyani.
Due to the presence of clouds in Lahore and surrounding areas, the chances of moon sighting were considered low.
Also Read: Ramazan moon sighted in Bangladesh, India
Islamabad meeting
The Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meeting was held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Islamabad.
Representatives from SUPARCO, the Ministry of Science and Technology, meteorologists, and other zonal committee members participated. The committee collected evidence and forwarded verified testimonies to the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
Faisalabad and Sukkur reports
Like the rest of the country, moon sighting efforts are underway in Faisalabad. In Sukkur, the weather is reported to be clear, and the chances of sighting the Ramazan moon are bright.
Karachi meeting
In Karachi also, the zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meeting to sight the Ramazan moon has begun.
The meeting is being held at the Meteorological Department, chaired by Hafiz Muhammad Salafi. Representatives of eminent scholars, the Meteorological Department, and SUPARCO are participating in the session.
Final announcement awaited
The Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committees across the country will gather evidence and relay their findings to the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. The final announcement regarding the sighting of the Ramazan moon will be made by Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad.
If confirmed, Muslims across Pakistan will observe their first fast tomorrow.
