Eid ul Fitr
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Tuesday that Eid ul Fitr will be observed in Pakistan on Monday, March 31, following the confirmed sighting of the Shawwal crescent.
The decision was made after an official meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which was held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in Islamabad. Concurrently, zonal and district Ruet-e-Hilal committees conducted their meetings at their respective headquarters to verify moon sighting reports from different regions.
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad chaired the session, which was attended by committee members along with officials from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Maulana Azad confirmed that testimonies of moon sightings had been received from multiple locations across the country, leading to the official declaration of Eid ul Fitr.
Eid ul Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Islamic tradition of moon sighting determines the start and end of Ramadan, as well as significant religious events like Eid and Muharram.
Last month, Suparco used scientific analysis, astronomical calculations, and modern observation techniques to forecast the visibility of both the Ramadan and Shawwal crescents. Based on these calculations, the Shawwal moon was expected to be visible on March 30, leading to the prediction that Eid would likely fall on March 31.
As per Islamic tradition, the crescent moon must be observed with the naked eye to officially confirm the start of the new month. Therefore, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee reviewed testimonies from different regions before making the final announcement regarding Eid.
Eid Celebrations in Other Countries
In contrast, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and several other Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait, Qatar, and Iran, observed Eid ul Fitr a day earlier. Arab media reported that the Saudi Royal Court confirmed Saturday as the last day of Ramadan, with Eid celebrations commencing the same day. The UAE, along with other Gulf nations, also made a similar announcement.
Meanwhile, some countries where the Shawwal crescent was not visible officially declared Monday, March 31, as their Eid ul Fitr date. Oman’s authorities confirmed that the crescent moon had not been sighted, making March 31 the official date for Eid celebrations.
Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Australia also determined their Eid date based on local moon sighting efforts and astronomical data. In Bangladesh, the National Moon Sighting Committee confirmed that Ramadan would be completed in 30 days as the crescent was not visible on Saturday evening.
Similarly, Indonesia declared Monday as Eid after failing to spot the Shawwal moon. In India, where Muslims had completed 28 days of fasting at the time of the announcement, moon sighting efforts were underway, with Eid expected on Monday if confirmed.
Malaysia’s International Astronomy Centre (IAC) confirmed that the Shawwal crescent would be visible to the naked eye later in the evening, leading to Eid ul Fitr celebrations on Monday. Brunei also followed suit, relying on the IAC’s forecast to set the Eid date.
Australia’s Fatwa Council declared March 31 as Eid ul Fitr, explaining that the Shawwal moon would appear after sunset on Saturday in both the eastern and western regions of the country.
The variation in Eid dates across different countries highlights the ongoing reliance on moon sighting traditions and astronomical calculations, both of which play an essential role in determining Islamic holidays worldwide.
