A meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, led by Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad, was held in Islamabad on Thursday to confirm the moon sighting. Zonal committees also met in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Peshawar. After the meeting, Maulana Azad announced that credible testimonies had confirmed the sighting, making January 31 the first day of Shaban.
Looking ahead, astronomers predict that Ramadan will begin in early March. Some countries may start fasting on March 1, while others may begin on March 2. In Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, Ramadan is expected to start on March 1.
Eid-ul-Fitr may fall on March 30 (Sunday) or March 31 (Monday), depending on the moon sighting. In Pakistan, the moon is expected to be sighted on March 29 or 30, with the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee making the final announcement.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, holds great significance for Muslims. They observe fasts from dawn to sunset as an act of devotion, and Eid-ul-Fitr serves as a reward for their fasting.
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Meteorologists predict a transition from winter to spring during Ramadan this year, making the weather cooler than in previous years. In many Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Egypt, fasting durations in early Ramadan will be around 13 hours.
It is also worth noting that Muslims around the world observe Shab-e-Barat on the 15th night of Shaban, a night of prayer and seeking forgiveness.
