ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Pakistan Meteorological Department has said that the chances of sighting the Shawwal 1447 AH crescent moon on the evening of Thursday, March 19, are extremely low.
According to the Met Office, astronomical calculations indicate that the new moon will be born at 06:23 Pakistan Standard Time on March 19. However, by sunset the moon’s age will be between 12 and 13 hours at most meteorological observatories across the country, which is considered too short for the crescent to be visible to the naked eye.
Officials said such a short duration makes the visibility of the Shawwal crescent highly unlikely on the 29th of Ramadan.
Based on these scientific estimates, the department said Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to fall on Saturday, March 21, after the completion of a 30-day fasting month.
The Meteorological Department, however, clarified that these projections are only based on astronomical data and do not constitute the official announcement of the festival.
It emphasized that the final and authoritative decision regarding the sighting of the Shawwal moon will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after receiving testimonies from across the country.
