Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to meet today for Eid ul Fitr moon sighting
Pakistan's Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet today to sight the Shawwal moon, which will determine the date for Eid ul Fitr celebrations.
The committee's announcement will confirm whether the holy month of Ramadan has concluded and when Eid ul Fitr will be celebrated in Pakistan.
The meeting will be chaired by Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad and will take place at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in Islamabad.
In addition to the central committee, regional and zonal meetings of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committees will be held across the country's provincial capitals to assess moon sighting reports from different regions.
The primary task of the committee is to verify testimonies of moon sightings and provide an official announcement on the start of the month of Shawwal.
According to forecasts from the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the Shawwal moon is likely to be sighted on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
If confirmed, Eid ul Fitr will be observed across Pakistan on Monday, March 31, 2025.
The announcement is eagerly awaited by millions of Muslims in Pakistan, who have been fasting throughout the month of Ramadan. Eid ul Fitr marks the end of the month-long fasting period and is a joyous occasion that is celebrated with prayers, feasts, and family gatherings.
Religious scholars, meteorologists, and experts will gather today to discuss and confirm reports from across the country. Once the committee has thoroughly reviewed the sightings, they will announce whether the moon has been seen. This declaration will serve as the official confirmation for Eid celebrations.
The sighting of the Shawwal moon is a significant event for Muslims worldwide, marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal. The timing of the sighting varies based on regional observation capabilities, and each country has its own method for determining the moon's visibility.
Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE declared the sighting of the crescent moon on March 29, marking the first day of Shawwal and the official start of Eid celebrations. Similarly, other Middle Eastern countries like Kuwait, Qatar, and Iran have also announced the celebration of Eid today.
However, in several other countries, the Shawwal moon was not sighted on the evening of March 29, leading to a declaration that Eid ul Fitr would be observed on Monday, March 31, 2025.
These countries include Oman, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Australia. For example, the National Moon Sighting Committee of Bangladesh confirmed that the crescent moon was not visible, marking Sunday, March 30, as the final day of Ramadan.
In Indonesia and India, where Muslims have completed 28 days of fasting, the Shawwal moon is expected to be sighted today, but the official Eid declaration will follow after confirmation.
Malaysia, Brunei, and Australia also made similar announcements, stating that Eid will be observed on March 31, after the moon sighting is confirmed.
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