Shawwal moon has not been sighted in Pakistan and Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed on Saturday, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced today (April 20).
The announcement was made by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad – chairman of the committee – at a presser in Islamabad.
The presser came following the committee's meetings in the federal capital, as well as in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta.
Azad told media persons that the weather was cloudy in some areas, though clear in others. He added that testimonies were not received from any area, so as to announce the end of the month.
Moreover, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued the coordinates and chances for the moon-sighting.
“According to astronomical parameters, there is no chance of sighting the new moon of Shawwal, 1444 AH on the evening of April 20, 2023 i.e. on 29th Ramazan, 1444 AH,” it said.
Earlier, Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council Secretary-General, Khalid Ijaz Mufti said that the birth of the moon is expected on Thursday, April 20, at 9:15am PST.
The moon's age at sunset in the evening was estimated to be 9 hours 33 minutes and 12 seconds, while the sun set at 6:49pm, the moon is likely went beyond the horizon at 7:10pm.
This, the expert added, alongside other technical factors, renders moon sighting to be unlikely today.
Astronomers say that it is necessary for the sighting that the moon stays on the horizon for some 40 to 50 minutes after sunset in Pakistan, amounting to just 21 minutes.
The government has announced public holidays across the country for five days to observe the occasion. The holidays will begin on Friday, April 21, and last until Tuesday, April 25, as per an official notification.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has announced that the Shawwal moon has been sighted and that Eid will be celebrated tomorrow (Friday).
“Tomorrow, Friday, is the first day of Eidul Fitr for this year,” with Thursday the last day of Ramazan, the official Saudi Press Agency said on Twitter.
The announcement was made by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad – chairman of the committee – at a presser in Islamabad.
The presser came following the committee's meetings in the federal capital, as well as in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta.
Azad told media persons that the weather was cloudy in some areas, though clear in others. He added that testimonies were not received from any area, so as to announce the end of the month.
Moreover, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued the coordinates and chances for the moon-sighting.
“According to astronomical parameters, there is no chance of sighting the new moon of Shawwal, 1444 AH on the evening of April 20, 2023 i.e. on 29th Ramazan, 1444 AH,” it said.
Earlier, Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council Secretary-General, Khalid Ijaz Mufti said that the birth of the moon is expected on Thursday, April 20, at 9:15am PST.
The moon's age at sunset in the evening was estimated to be 9 hours 33 minutes and 12 seconds, while the sun set at 6:49pm, the moon is likely went beyond the horizon at 7:10pm.
This, the expert added, alongside other technical factors, renders moon sighting to be unlikely today.
Astronomers say that it is necessary for the sighting that the moon stays on the horizon for some 40 to 50 minutes after sunset in Pakistan, amounting to just 21 minutes.
The government has announced public holidays across the country for five days to observe the occasion. The holidays will begin on Friday, April 21, and last until Tuesday, April 25, as per an official notification.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has announced that the Shawwal moon has been sighted and that Eid will be celebrated tomorrow (Friday).
“Tomorrow, Friday, is the first day of Eidul Fitr for this year,” with Thursday the last day of Ramazan, the official Saudi Press Agency said on Twitter.