The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is set to meet today (Thursday) to sight the moon of Eid ul-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan in Pakistan.
Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Meeting
The meeting in Islamabad will see committee members reviewing moon sighting reports from across the country. Following this, an official announcement will be made on whether the Shawwal crescent has been sighted. If confirmed, Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated accordingly in Pakistan.
It is noteworthy that the Shawwal moon was not sighted in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, where Eid will be observed on Friday. However, in Afghanistan, Eid ul-Fitr is being celebrated today.
When Is the Shawwal Moon Likely to Appear?
After a complete 30-day Ramadan, the first Shawwal in Pakistan is most likely to fall on March 21. Experts say the chances of sighting the crescent on the evening of March 19 are low.
According to the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO):
“The new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH is expected to be born on March 19, 2026, at 06:23 PST. At sunset on that day, the moon will be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes old, with an estimated 28-minute interval between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal belt.”
Importance of Eid ul-Fitr
Muslims around the world celebrate Eid ul-Fitr with devotion and joy. During Ramadan, over a billion believers fast to practice patience, self-discipline, and generosity.
In Pakistan, Ramadan 2026 began on February 19, following the announcement of the crescent sighting by Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad.
Islamic Calendar and Ramadan Dates
Islamic months last either 29 or 30 days, with their start and end determined by the sighting of the crescent moon. Therefore, Ramadan does not fall on the same Gregorian calendar date each year. Since the Islamic (lunar) year is about 10 days shorter than the Gregorian year, Ramadan shifts gradually each year on the Gregorian calendar.
Key Point: The sighting of the Shawwal moon in Pakistan today will determine the date of Eid ul-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the celebrations.
