Shawwal moon sighted, nation to celebrate Eidul Fitr today

Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad announces decision following meeting in Islamabad

The crescent for the Islamic month of Shawwal has been sighted in Pakistan, and the nation will celebrate Eidul Fitr on Wednesday, April 10th, as announced by Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad on Tuesday.

The announcement came after a meeting of the committee, which included members from various government bodies such as the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Meteorological Department, and the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), held in Islamabad.

Provincial committees also convened in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Peshawar to gather testimonies for moon sighting.

Also read: Eid moon likely to be visible today

Addressing a press conference along with his respective colleagues of both Central and Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committees, he informed that they have received a number of testimonies of moon sighting for Shawwal-ul-Mukarram from various areas of the country.

After evaluating all testimonies in the parameters of Shariah regarding the Shawwal-ul-Mukarram’s moon sighting, Maulana Azad said the committee has reached a unanimous conclusion that the first Shawwal-ul-Mukarram, 1445 AH would fall on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Concluding his remarks, he fervently prayed for the peace, progress, and prosperity of the nation. Additionally, he beseeched for divine intervention for the innocent people of Palestine and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, who have been rendering numerous sacrifices in pursuit of their just resolutions.

Source told The Express Tribune that four testimonies were received from Sheikhupura, Sarai Alamgir, Sukkur and Karachi. Testimonies of moon sighting were also received from Kasur and Gujranwala, they added.

Eid Mubarak✨
May this Eid be a time of joy, togetherness, and spiritual renewal.#eidalfitr pic.twitter.com/c69fQGKDIq

— Embassy of Japan in Pakistan (@JapaninPak) April 9, 2024

Professor Abdul Ghafoor of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa zonal committee, while speaking to the media, said that they received testimonies of moon sighting from Abbottabad, Peshawar, Dir, Rabat and Sarai Norang, adding that more than 60 testimonies have been submitted to the central committee.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had earlier predicted a strong likelihood of sighting the Shawwal moon today, marking the auspicious conclusion of the holy month of Ramazan.

In anticipation of the Eid festivities, the government has declared three-day holidays from April 10th to April 12th for offices following a five-day workweek, and a four-day break from April 10th to April 13th for those with a six-day workweek.

(With input from APP)