Shawwal moon not sighted in Pakistan; Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday

ISLAMABAD:  The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee (CRHC) has announced that the Shawwal moon was not sighted across Pakistan, stating that Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of Ramazan, will be observed on Saturday, March 21.

The committee convened in Islamabad under the chair of CRHC Chairman Muhammad Abdul Khabeer Azad to collect moon-sighting reports from across the country. Regional zonal committees assisted in confirming the moon sighting.

No moon-sighting testimonies were received from anywhere in the country, said Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad.

Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed across Pakistan on Saturday, March 21, he said adding tomorrow will mark the 30th and final day of Ramadan in Pakistan.

He prayed that Allah grants the entire Muslim Ummah relief from Israel.

“Pakistan is a stronghold for Muslims worldwide,” the CRHC Chairman said, adding that Pakistan’s capabilities are recognized globally.

Azad emphasized that there is a need for unity and solidarity among Muslims around the world today.

Earlier, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) and the Pakistan Meteorological Department had predicted low chances of sighting on Friday, March 19.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, however, are set to celebrate Eid on Friday, March 20.