KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted a high probability of sighting the Shawwal crescent on April 9, indicating that Eid ul Fitr could commence on April 10.
According to the Met Office, the new moon is expected to be born at 11:21pm on April 8, with an age of 19 to 20 hours the following evening. This provides a window of opportunity for moon sighting exceeding 50 minutes after sunset.
If the PMD’s predictions come to fruition, Pakistanis are poised to observe 29 days of fasting this Ramadan, as the crescent for the holy month was spotted on March 11.
Earlier, the International Astronomical Centre (IAC) had stated that some countries that had begun Ramadan on Monday, March 11, were expecting a crescent sighting on Monday, April 8. However, this sighting was anticipated to be unclear due to the moon setting before the sun, resulting in a conjunction occurring after sunset.
Meanwhile, countries that had started Ramadan on Tuesday, March 12, were expecting a moon crescent sighting on Tuesday, April 9. The IAC suggested that a sighting would likely be feasible on that day, thus anticipating Eid ul Fitr announcements for April 10.
In the UAE, the Emirates Astronomical Society had also forecasted Eid to commence on April 10, awaiting confirmation from the UAE’s moon-sighting committee.
