ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday, March 21, after the Shawwal moon was not sighted anywhere in the country, the country’s Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee announced on Thursday.
The moon sighting committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad said after a meeting in Islamabad that Friday would mark the 30th day of the holy month of Ramadan.
Maulana Azad said that the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee received no credible testimony of Shawwal moon sighting from any part of the country.
The announcement followed a meeting of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, alongside zonal and district committees across the country, to observe the Shawwal crescent and determine the date of Eid-ul-Fitr.
“No credible sighting of the moon was reported from any part of the country,” Maulana Azad said, confirming that Eid would be observed on Saturday.
Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and is one of the most significant religious festivals for Muslims worldwide.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are set to observe Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday.
However, Afghanistan marked Eid-ul-Fitr on Thursday.
Astronomical forecasts
Earlier projections by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) had indicated that Eid was likely to fall on March 21, citing low chances of moon visibility on March 19.
According to Suparco, the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH was born at 06:23 Pakistan Standard Time on March 19.
At sunset, the moon’s age was approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes, with a gap of around 28 minutes between sunset and moonset along coastal areas — conditions considered unfavourable for visibility.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department had also predicted that Ramadan would likely complete 30 days this year due to the expected non-visibility of the crescent.
Officials had emphasised that the final decision rests with the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee.
Ramadan observance and significance
Pakistan began observing Ramadan on February 19 this year. The Islamic lunar calendar, which is around 10 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, causes Ramadan to shift earlier each year.
Islamic months last either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.
Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims around the world with prayers, charity, and communal gatherings, marking the end of a month of fasting, reflection, and spiritual discipline.
