ISLAMABAD: As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, Muslims around the world eagerly await the festival of Eid ul Fitr. In Pakistan, the date of the festival has been a topic of much discussion, with debates over the sighting of the Shawwal moon.
However, the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council has finally put an end to the speculation by ruling out the possibility of the moon sighting on April 20.
According to Mufti Khalid Aijaz, the Secretary General of the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, the crescent marking the beginning of Shawwal will be sighted after the completion of 30 days of Ramadan. This means that Eid ul Fitr will fall on April 22, which is a Saturday.
Mufti Aijaz also predicted the time of the moon sighting, stating that the new crescent would be born at 9:13 am on April 20, and its age would be less than 10 hours that day. He further explained that for the crescent to be sighted, its duration should be more than 19 hours.
Therefore, even if the sky is clear on April 20, the moon will not be spotted, and any testimony received on that day will be false.
Speculations about date of Eid ul Fitr
The decision of the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council is significant as it is responsible for deciding the start of Islamic months and the timing of Islamic festivals in Pakistan.
Moon sightings have often been a contentious issue in the country, with different testimonies being received from various parts of the country. However, the council’s ruling puts an end to any further speculation about the date of Eid ul Fitr.
As Muslims prepare to celebrate the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, they will now know that Eid ul Fitr will fall on April 22 in Pakistan.
The festival is marked by prayers, feasting, and spending time with family and friends, and it is a time of great joy and celebration for Muslims around the world.
