In a momentous announcement that marks a time of spirituality and devotion, the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee declared the sighting of the Ramazan moon, setting the stage for the commencement of this sacred month on March 12. This decision, heralding a period of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims globally, comes after careful deliberation and widespread collaboration.
THE DECISIVE GATHERING
Under the leadership of Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, the committee convened at the Peshawar office of Administrator Auqaf, a meeting that was not just procedural but steeped in anticipation and communal spirit. With reports flooding in from across the nation – be it Peshawar, Lahore, Swat, or Sargodha – the consensus was clear: the crescent moon had been sighted, and Ramazan was here.
Chairman Azad, in a heartfelt address post-meeting, extended his warmest congratulations to the Muslim community, inviting everyone to embrace the month’s blessings.
A UNIFIED COMMENCEMENT
Prior to the announcement, there was a palpable air of expectancy as committee members, stationed throughout Pakistan, looked to the skies for the Ramazan moon following sunset. This nationwide vigil, echoed in the efforts of zonal committees in major cities like Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Islamabad, was not just about sighting the moon but about fostering unity and synchronization in observance of the fasting month.
Maulana Azad’s call for public participation in moon sighting was a gesture towards inclusivity, aiming for a collective start to the fasting period across the country.
REGIONAL MOON SIGHTINGS
Beyond Pakistan’s borders, the crescent moon made its appearance known in several countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where the holy month began a day earlier, on March 11. This followed appeals in these countries for the public to assist in the moon sighting, highlighting the communal aspect of this spiritual observance.
Countries like Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei, alongside Oman, have also aligned with the March 12 start date for Ramazan, after their own observations of the moon.
