The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council cites the age of the moon and visibility limits; Ramazan probably from February 19
LAHORE:
The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council said that the Shaban crescent will not be seen in Pakistan on the evening of January 19, which means the Islamic month of Shaban-ul-Muazzam 1447 AH will begin on January 21.
Council Secretary General Khalid Ejaz Mufti said the new moon would be born at 12:52 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time on the night of January 18-19. However, at sunset on January 19, the age of the moon will be less than 18 hours nationwide, while a minimum age of 19 hours is required to view the crescent.
He said the difference between sunset and moonset would also not meet 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 observation, a minimum gap 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.
Accordingly, 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 observation of Shaban will be made by the Central Committee of Ruet-e-Hilal.
Read: Ramazan is scheduled to begin on February 19 and Eidul Fitr on March 21.
Earlier, the council had also shared astronomical projections suggesting that Pakistan’s Ramazan is likely to begin on February 19, while Eidul Fitr may fall on March 21.
Addressing the media, the Mufti said that the crescent marking the start of Ramazan is expected to be seen on February 18. “Based on the birth of the moon and visibility parameters, the first of Ramazan is expected to fall on February 19,” he said.
He stressed that the dates are provisional and based only on scientific calculations. “The final and decisive announcement regarding Ramazan and Eid will be made by the Ruet-e-Hilal Central Committee,” the Mufti said.
