Countdown to Ramadan begins

WEB DESK: In a celestial event that resonates across the Islamic world, the sighting of the crescent moon heralds the approach of the holy month of Ramadan.

According to the Hijri calendar published on the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) website, Ramadan is expected to commence on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

According to multiple news outlets, it is expected that the first of Ramadan in Pakistan will also be observed on or around the aforementioned date.

The temperatures during this period are expected to be moderate, aligning with the onset of the spring season in the UAE.

This anticipation was heightened as the UAE’s International Astronomy Centre officially declared the sighting of the Sha’ban crescent moon on Saturday, February 10.

The announcement, conveyed through various social media posts, revealed images of the faint crescent captured by the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory in Abu Dhabi.

Two distinct moments were frozen in time: the first at 11 am and the second during the evening, both showcasing the celestial marker’s presence in the UAE’s skies.

As a consequence, Saturday, February 10, marked the culmination of the month of Rajab, with the subsequent day, Sunday, February 11, designated as the commencement of Sha’ban 1 in the UAE.

In other news, in Pakistan, according to the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the moon of Shaban remained elusive, failing to make its presence known anywhere in the entire country.

In light of this divergence, the committee officially declared that the 1st of Sha’ban 1445 Hijri would fall on Monday, February 12 in Pakistan.

This decision, rooted in the non-sighting of the moon, also impacts the observance of Shab-e-Barat, which is slated for February 26.

Swiftly responding to the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s announcement, the Ministry of Religious Affairs issued a notification, disseminating the decision to the public.