The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is set to meet today (Thursday) to sight the Shawwal moon, which will determine the date of Eid ul Fitr in Pakistan.
The meeting will take place in Islamabad, where committee members will review moon-sighting testimonies received from across the country before making an official announcement. If the crescent is sighted, Eid will be observed the following day.
Meanwhile, regional differences in moon sighting continue. Saudi Arabia has already announced Eid on Friday after the Shawwal moon was not sighted there on Wednesday, while Afghanistan is observing Eid today.
According to experts, the likelihood of sighting the moon in Pakistan on March 19 is low, making March 21 a more probable date for Eid after a complete 30-day Ramadan.
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) stated that the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH was expected to be born on March 19, 2026, at 06:23 PST. At sunset, the moon’s age would be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes, with only a short visibility window of around 28 minutes, reducing the chances of sighting.
Eid ul Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. The festival is celebrated with prayers, charity, and gatherings with family and friends.
Pakistan began Ramadan 2026 on February 19 following the moon sighting announcement by committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad.
Since the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, months last either 29 or 30 days, causing Ramadan and Eid to shift approximately 10 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.
