ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s moon sighting committee will convene in the country’s northwestern city of Peshawar on February 18 for the sighting of the crescent of the holy month of Ramadan.
Observed with deep religious fervour, the holy month will see millions of Pakistanis—alongside billions of Muslims worldwide—fasting from dawn to sunset.
In Pakistan, central and zonal moon sighting committees will finalise their recommendations, after which the official announcement regarding the beginning of Ramadan will be made.
Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabeer Azad will preside over the central session in Peshawar.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued an official notification confirming that zonal moon-sighting committee meetings will also take place in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Quetta.
Scientific calculations indicate that the moon is expected to be clearly visible on February 18 in Pakistan and several other countries.
The crescent is predicted to be easily sighted in cities including Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Makkah on that day.
If this sighting is confirmed, the first day of Ramadan in Pakistan is likely to be observed on Thursday, February 19.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has announced that the new moon of Ramadan 1447 AH will occur on February 17 at 5:01 pm PST, with a good possibility of sighting the crescent on the evening of February 18.
In an advisory to the Research and Reference Wing of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the department stated that the moon will reach conjunction at 5:01 pm on February 17.
Astronomical calculations indicate a fair chance of crescent sighting on February 18, corresponding to 29th Shaban 1447 AH.
According to the PMD’s Climate Data Processing Centre, historical climate patterns suggest that most parts of the country are likely to experience partly cloudy to clear skies on the evening of February 18, favorable for moon sighting.
Like in many other countries, Ramadan in Pakistan is observed with a strong spirit of charity and community service.
People set up roadside food stalls and participate in public food drives to provide meals for those returning home in the evenings.
