Pakistan

Ruet-e-Hilal predicts Eid on June 16

New moon will not be visible on June 14 and Eid will fall on Saturday, says Secretary General of RHRC

Asif Mehmood June 11, 2018

In Ramazan spirit, UAE, Pakistan linked in brotherhood. PHOTO: REUTERS

LAHORE: The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council (RHRC) on Monday predicted that Eidul Fitr will be observed on June 16 as the Shawwal moon will not be sighted on Thursday.

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The new moon will not be visible on June 14 and hence, Eid will fall on June 16. Speaking to Express News, Secretary General of RHRC Khalid Aijaz Mufti said that for a new moon to be sighted, it has to be at least 19 hours at the time of sunset [at the place of observation].

The new moon will take birth in the wee hours of Thursday morning on June 14, after which the date of Eidul Fitr will be finalised for Saturday, added Mufti.

Ramazan will be of 30 days in the country, although the holy month began this year in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on the same day [May 17]. However, there will be a one-day difference between Eid in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

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On June 9, the Ministry of Interior announced a four-day holiday on the occasion of Eidul Fitr. According to a notification issued by the ministry, the holidays will start from June 15 (Friday) and run until June 18 (Monday).

Eidul Fitr marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramazan, during which Muslims all over the world observe 30 days of fasting.

COMMENTS (2)

Malaika Chohan | 6 years ago | Reply l just wanted to know that is there any chance of Eid on 15th of June??

UK | 6 years ago | Reply There is almost no chance of moonsighting on Thursday June 14th, in Northern Pakistan. However there is a small chance in Southern Pakistan (Baluchistan and Sindh), using a telescope. Although, I guarantee we will get "witnesses" from Northern Pakistan, probably even without optical aid/telescope. Defying all science. Moon will be sighted for sure in Saudi Arabia and other countries, located west of Pakistan, as well as in some countries east of Pakistan, which will see sunset before Pakistan (Malaysia and Indonesia). Many scholars are of the opinion, that if we get a confirmed witness before Fajr time, from another place or country, then you can still change lunar month. Based on this rule, we will get confirmed witnesses (perhaps pics too) of crescent from many Arab countries and almost entire continent of Africa, and it will still be before Fajr time in Pakistan. Sighting confirmations from Malaysia and Indonesia may arrive even before sunset in Pakistan. I think it is time to adopt a calendar based on science. After all, we offer prayers based on science and predetermined schedule, instead of looking for length of shadows, or sunrise/sunsets, out in the open. We need to decide (my wishful thinking that we can decide and agree), which rule to follow, 1) Local moonsighting: based on this rule, we should have Eid only in Southern Pakistan, but not in Punjab KPK, AJK, and GB. Same goes for India, which will see sunset before Pakistan, but moon only visible in Southern states, not in the North. 2) Moonsighting before local Fajr time, anywhere in the world: Saudis already follow this rule, plus many other organizations around the world). This rule also allows formulating a fix calendar. an example is Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), which follows a fixed calendar, formulated based on moon visibility charts and science.

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