The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is set to meet in Peshawar on the evening of Friday, February 28 (29th Shaban) to observe the crescent moon, which will determine the beginning of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak 1446 AH.
Coordinated Efforts for Moon Sighting
Led by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, the meeting aims to ensure that the holy month begins uniformly across the country. The session will take place at the Auqaf Department building in Peshawar, while zonal and district committees will hold their respective meetings at designated locations.
In the federal capital, the Islamabad Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will conduct its session at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. Despite separate meetings taking place across the country, the final announcement will come from the central committee to maintain nationwide consistency.
Scientific Forecast on Moon Visibility
According to the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the crescent moon is expected to be visible on March 1, indicating that the first fast of Ramazan may be observed on March 2.
Based on SUPARCO’s calculations, the birth of the new moon will occur on February 28, 2025, at 5:45 PST. However, by sunset, its age will be only 12 hours, with an altitude of 5 degrees, making it difficult to spot. Generally, a crescent needs to be at least 19 hours old for visibility under normal conditions.
Significance of a Unified Decision
The sighting of the moon often leads to varying opinions in different regions of Pakistan, occasionally resulting in the observance of Ramazan on different dates. In recent years, religious scholars, meteorologists, and scientific experts have worked together to achieve consensus.
The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that the decision is based on both traditional and scientific methods, helping to unify the start of Ramazan across the nation.
