The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council cites lunar age and visibility limits; Ramadan probably starting February 19
LAHORE:
The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council has said that the Shaban crescent will not be sighted in Pakistan on the night of January 19, which means that the Islamic month of Shaban-ul-Muazzam 1447 AH will begin from January 21.
Secretary General of the Council Khalid Ejaz Mufti said that the new moon will rise at 0:52 am 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 to sight the crescent.
He said the difference between sunset and moonset would also not reach the required standard. In Gilgit and Muzaffarabad, the difference 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, either with the naked eye or with binoculars or through a telescope,” the council said.
As a result, after completing the 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: Ramadan is likely to begin on February 19 and Eidul Fitr on March 21.
Previously, the council had also shared astronomical projections suggesting that Ramadan in Pakistan would likely begin on February 19, while Eidul Fitr could fall on March 21.
Speaking to the media, Mufti said that the crescent that marks the beginning of Ramadan is expected to be sighted on February 18. “Depending on the moonrise and visibility parameters, the first moon of Ramadan is likely to fall on February 19,” he said.
He stressed that the dates are provisional and based purely on scientific calculations. “The final and decisive announcement on Ramadan and Eid will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee,” Mufti said.
