Islamabad (Web Desk): The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on Friday announced that the moon for the month of Ramazan was not sighted in Pakistan, and as a result, the first day of the holy month would fall on Sunday, March 2.
Speaking to media in Peshawar, Central Ruetei-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad said that the different zonal committees across the country were formed to receive testimonies for the moon sighting.
However, no testimonies were received from any part of the country regarding the sighting of the moon.
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad said that that after the deliberation and reaching a consensus, it was decided that the observance of Ramazan would begin on Sunday.
Following this decision, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony also issued an official notification confirming that the moon was not seen, in line with the committee's statement.
Separately, Saudi Arabia had already declared the sighting of the crescent moon, marking the commencement of the holy month of Ramazan within the kingdom.
People in Saudi Arabia will observe their first fast on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia is often the first to spot the moon for each Islamic month, with other Arab, Middle Eastern, and Western countries, as well as parts of India, following suit.
The arrival of Ramadan is met with deep devotion and enthusiasm across the Muslim world. During this sacred month, over a billion Muslims engage in fasting, seeking to cultivate patience and self-control while also focusing on charity and community welfare.
The Islamic calendar, which follows the lunar cycle, is roughly 10 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, meaning that Ramadan shifts annually on the latter. Due to this variation in dates, the start of the month moves each year according to the solar-based Gregorian calendar.
