Islamabad
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Thursday that the Shawwal moon was not sighted and Eidul Fitr would thus fall on March 21. Addressing a press conference after a meeting in Islamabad to observe the Shawwal 1447 Hijri crescent, which marks the end of Ramazan, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad said the country would observe the 30th fast on Friday.
“There was no testimony received of sighting the moon from any part of Pakistan,” he said.
He said that skies remained cloudy across most parts of country, with only a few areas experiencing clear conditions, and that no moon sighting testimonies had been received. Azad urged Pakistan and other Muslim countries to unite amid the ongoing crisis in the Gulf, adding that the entire region was going through immense suffering and that prayers would be offered for them.
He condemned the actions of Israel, saying, “The oppressor is committing atrocities; may Allah grant deliverance from the oppressive Israel.”
Azad also prayed for Pakistan, saying, “May Allah protect our country from internal and external conflicts. May He safeguard Pakistan’s armed forces and our field marshal.”
“May Allah strengthen the survival of our nation. These difficult days will also pass,” he added.
He concluded by calling for national solidarity: “We urgently need to unite as one nation with cohesion and harmony.”
Committee members were present at the meeting, along with representatives from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), and the Ministry of Science, who attended the central session to provide technical assistance for moon sighting.
