Ramazan moon likely to be sighted on May 27: Met office

The Central Reut–e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to meet in Islamabad on May 26

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that the Ramazan moon is likely to be sighted on May 27 (Saturday) and the first day of the holy month will begin on May 28 (Sunday).

The Central Reut–e-Hilal Committee meeting is scheduled to be held on May 26 (Friday) in Islamabad for sighting the crescent. But according to the Met office, there are few chances that the new moon will be visible on May 26.

While talking to The Express Tribune, an official who is working closely with the moon-sighting committee said PMD has 37 observatories across the country for collecting moon-sighting data.



“Based on scientific observations, the PMD easily predicts the exact date of moon-sighting,” the official said, adding, “In this era of modern technology it is easy to study the moon and find out well ahead of time when the new moon is expected.”

He also said that the chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee makes the official announcement of the Ramazan moon sighting on behalf of the government on the basis of the PMD’s observation results, members of the committee, and the general public.



According to officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, like the previous year, Ramazan will also start on the same day nationwide this year, followed by Eidul Fitr on the same day across the country, in line with the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announcement.

Moreover, the ministry has also taken Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai of Masjid Qasim Ali Khan into confidence.

An official of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, who asked not to be named, told The Express Tribune that the ministry had a detailed discussion with Popalzai regarding moon sighting.“He agreed that the start of Ramazan and Eidul Fitr should be on the same dates across the country.”