Ramzan moon update: Pakistan to observe first fast on…

The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee on Friday announced that the Ramzan moon was not sighted and the first day of the holy month would fall on March 2.

Earlier, Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad had expressed hope that the blessed month would start on the same day across the country, aligning with the nation’s expectations. “We will make decisions according to the testimonies that we receive. I pray that we begin observing Ramzan on a single day,” Azad told a private media outlet.

He emphasised that the committee had never disregarded science and said that they not only had scholars from all sects, but also had representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and Suparco.

“We also take recommendations from everywhere, but we decide in line with religious teachings.”

Apart from the central crescent-sighting meeting in Peshawar, Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committees also met separately at their respective headquarters for sighting of the crescent.

It may be noted that the meteorological forecasts indicated a low likelihood of moon sighting today. The PMD had said that there was little chance of sighting the moon due to cloudy weather during the next 24 hours.

The weather department had also said moon's age at sunset would be approximately 12 hours and moon-sun angular separation would be about five degrees.

The central huddle began at 6:30 pm to ascertain the beginning of the ninth Islamic month, with clerics from all schools of thoughts in attendance.