Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meet tomorrow for Safar moon sighting
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on Wednesday to sight the Safar moon, as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicts the crescent is likely to be visible. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on Wednesday to sight the moon of Safar 1448 AH and decide the beginning of the new Islamic month in Pakistan.
The meeting will be chaired by the committee’s Chairman, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad. Meanwhile, zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committees will hold separate meetings at their respective headquarters to receive and examine moon-sighting reports from across the country.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the Safar crescent is likely to be visible on the evening of July 15, making July 16 the expected first day of Safar-ul-Muzaffar in Pakistan.
The PMD said the new moon will be born at 2:43pm on July 14. By the following evening, astronomical conditions are expected to be highly favourable for moon sighting across most parts of the country. The department added that weather conditions, including in Sindh, are expected to remain favourable for sighting the crescent.
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In Karachi, moon watchers are expected to have a good opportunity to sight the crescent, as it is likely to remain above the horizon for around 64 minutes after sunset. The moon is expected to remain visible until approximately 8:28pm.
The PMD said its forecast is based on scientific and astronomical calculations, which indicate a strong possibility of the crescent being sighted on July 15.
However, the department clarified that the official announcement regarding the beginning of Safar will be made only by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after reviewing moon-sighting testimonies received from across the country. Pakistan follows the traditional Islamic lunar calendar, under which the beginning of each Islamic month is determined through the physical sighting of the new moon.
