ISLAMABAD: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will convene in Peshawar on the evening of February 28 (Friday) to see the Ramadan moon. If the crescent is sighted, the holy month of fasting will commence on March 1 (Saturday).
The meeting, to be chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, will begin after the Asr prayer. Simultaneously, zonal committees in various regions will also gather to receive and evaluate moon sighting reports, as stated in a notification from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The central meeting will include clerics from various schools of thought to ensure a unanimous decision regarding the start of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Ramadan, observed with great religious devotion, will see millions of Pakistanis and billions of Muslims worldwide fasting from dawn until dusk. Fasting hours range between 12 and 17 hours, depending on geographical locations across the globe.
Earlier this week, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasted that the first day of fasting in Pakistan is likely to fall on March 2. According to the PMD, the new moon is expected to be born on February 28 at 5:45 PM, making its sighting more probable on March 1.
Additionally, the International Astronomical Centre (IAC) in Abu Dhabi predicted that most Muslim countries, including Pakistan, will attempt to observe the crescent moon on February 28. According to The National, the IAC noted that some Arab countries might sight the moon the same evening.
As with many Muslim-majority countries, Ramadan in Pakistan is marked by heightened charitable activities, with increased public food drives and roadside stalls set up to provide meals for those returning home at sunset.
