ISLAMABAD: Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has announced that Shawwal moon could not be sighted in Pakistan and that Eidul Fitr will be celebrated throughout country on Saturday April 22.

Announcement was made in federal capital by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad who presided over meeting of central moon-sighting committee.

Meetings of zonal moon-sighting committees ended earlier in evening, with no reports of Shawwal moon being sighted by any zonal committee. Councils had already predicted earlier that Eid is likely to be celebrated across nation this year on Saturday, April 22.

 Council’s Secretary General Khalid Ijaz Mufti said that birth of moon is expected to take place on Thursday, April 20, at 9:15am Pakistan time. Age of moon at sunset during today’s evening hours will be 9 hours 33 minutes and 12 seconds.

While sun is expected to set at 6:49pm, moon is likely to go beyond horizon at 7:10pm. This, said expert, alongside other technical factors, renders moon sighting to be unlikely.

According to expert astronomers, it is necessary for sighting that moon stays on horizon for 40 to 50 minutes after sunset, while moon will stay on horizon for only 21 minutes after sunset on April 20 in Pakistan.

Further, on evening of Ramadhan 29, moon’s age at sunset should be more than 19 hours for sighting. However, in all areas of Pakistan, it will be less than 10 hours.

Meanwhile, government has declared  nationwide public holiday for five days will begin on Friday, April 21 and run until Tuesday, April 25, according to notification issued by Ministry of Interior.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 21 2023

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