Pakistan Confirms Shawwal Moon Sighting, Eid ul Fitr to be Celebrated Tomorrow
Moon Sighting Announcement Causes Confusion as Chairman’s Long Speech Delays Confirmation
Shawwal moon was sighted in Pakistan on Sunday evening, following which Eid ul Fitr is to be celebrated tomorrow, Monday, March 31.
Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad made the official announcement after presiding over the meeting of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which took place on the roof of the Kohsar Block, Islamabad.
Meanwhile, the zonal committees met in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar to sight the moon.
Maulana Azad stated that while most areas across Pakistan had clear skies, some cities experienced cloudy conditions.
He confirmed that the committee received testimonies of the Shawwal moon sighting from multiple locations, including Lahore, Bahawalpur, Islamabad, Sheikhupura, Kasur, and others.
“Therefore, it was decided unanimously that God-willing, Shawaal 1st, 1446 would be observed on Monday, March 31, 2025,” Maulana Azad said.
The announcement of the moon sighting took an expected turn as the chairman of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee delivered a lengthy speech before confirming the sighting. As per tradition, he named all the meeting attendees before finally stating, “The moon has been sighted.”
Observers suggested that in future, the moon sighting should be announced first, followed by other formalities. Interestingly, cameras had already captured the moon long before the official confirmation.
The delay in the live announcement created chaos for TV viewers who rely on channels to break their fast. In a rush to cut the chairman’s speech short and go live, broadcasters inadvertently ignored the fact that many cities, including Karachi, still had time left before iftar.
As a result, some people had to step outside to hear the call to prayer, while others relied on iftar charts to confirm the correct time to break the fast, especially in Karachi.
