Shaban moon unlikely on Jan 19; Islamic month to begin from Jan 21 in Pakistan

Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council cites moon age and visibility limits; Ramazan likely from Feb 19

LAHORE:

The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council has said the Shaban crescent will not be sighted in Pakistan on the evening of January 19, meaning the Islamic month of Shaban-ul-Muazzam 1447 AH will begin from January 21.

Council Secretary General Khalid Ejaz Mufti said the new moon will be born at 12:52am Pakistan Standard Time on the night between January 18 and 19. However, at sunset on January 19, the age of the moon will be less than 18 hours across the country, while a minimum age of 19 hours is required for crescent sighting.

He said the difference between sunset and moonset would also fall short of the required standard. In Gilgit and Muzaffarabad, the gap will be 29 minutes; in Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore and Charsadda it will be 30 minutes; in Quetta it will be 31 minutes; and in Karachi and Jiwani it will be 33 minutes. For sighting, a minimum difference of 40 minutes is considered necessary.

“Based on these scientific facts, even if the sky is clear, the crescent will not be visible on the evening of January 19, neither with the naked eye nor with binoculars nor through a telescope,” the council said.

As a result, after the completion of 30 days of Rajab-ul-Murajjab, Shaban-ul-Muazzam will begin in Pakistan on January 21. The council clarified that the official announcement regarding the sighting of Shaban will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.

Read: Ramazan likely to begin on Feb 19, Eidul Fitr on March 21

Earlier, the council had also shared astronomical projections suggesting that Ramazan in Pakistan was likely to begin on February 19, while Eidul Fitr may fall on March 21.

Speaking to the media, Mufti said the crescent marking the start of Ramazan is expected to be sighted on February 18. “Based on the birth of the moon and visibility parameters, the first of Ramazan is likely to fall on February 19,” he said.

He stressed that the dates are tentative and based purely on scientific calculations. “The final and decisive announcement regarding Ramazan and Eid will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee,” Mufti said.