The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) announced on Monday that there is a strong likelihood of sighting the Shawwal crescent on April 9, indicating that Eid ul Fitr 2024 would commence on April 10.
As per the Met Office, the new moon is expected to appear at 11:21pm on April 8, with an estimated age of 19 to 20 hours by the following evening. Visibility of the moon after sunset is anticipated to extend for over 50 minutes.
PMD forecasts clear skies across most parts of the country on April 9, although northern areas may experience some cloud cover.
The Ramadan crescent was observed on March 11 in Pakistan, leading to the commencement of the holy month the subsequent day. If PMD’s predictions hold true, Pakistanis would observe 29 days of fasting.
Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated globally by Muslims following the conclusion of Ramadan and the onset of Shawwal. Ramadan, a month of patience, self-discipline, and charitable deeds, is succeeded by Eid, a time of festivity and joy.
Islamic months span either 29 or 30 days, with the commencement or conclusion of a month contingent upon the sighting of the crescent. Therefore, the timing of Ramadan varies annually on the Gregorian calendar.
Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is part of a lunar-based calendar system, resulting in a calendar approximately 10 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. Consequently, Ramadan occurs at different intervals each year according to the Gregorian calendar.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
