The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council (RHRC) has predicted that the chances of moon sighting on March 22 were very low and there was a strong possibility that it will be sighted on March 23, adding that the country will likely observe the first Ramazan on March 24, Daily Information Times reported.
The sighting of the Ramazan moon is a significant event for Muslims worldwide as it marks the beginning of the holy month. In Pakistan, the sighting of the moon is determined by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, a group of Islamic scholars who are responsible for confirming the sighting of the crescent moon.
RHRC Secretary-General Khalid Ijaz Mufti said that the crescent of Ramazan will be born at 10:23pm on March 21. However, he added that it is unlikely that it will be sighted on March 22.
He said that the age of the moon will be at least 19 hours at the sunset of March 22 (29 Shaban) but due to other weather factors, the moon will not be visible to the naked eye, adding that it was less likely that first of Ramazan will be observed on March 23.
He, however, said that if the skies were absolutely clear in some areas, then moon sighting cannot be ruled out but there was a strong possibility that the holy month of Ramazan will commence from March 24.
The RHRC’s prediction is based on scientific calculations and is in line with the Islamic calendar. The council has urged people to keep a lookout for the Ramazan moon on March 22, and if the skies are clear, they should report their sightings to their nearest Ruet-e-Hilal Committee or the local mosque.
Ramazan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and signifies a month devoted to worship, fasting and reflection in the Islamic faith.
The month commemorates the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and the annual month-long fast forms one of the five pillars of Islam.
Fasting from sunrise to sunset during the holy month is obligatory on all adult Muslims.
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