Ramadan moon sighted in Pakistan, first Roza on Thursday

Ramadan moon sighted in Pakistan, first Roza on Thursday. The holy month of fasting will officially begin in Pakistan on Thursday (March 23), as the Ramadan crescent moon was sighted on Wednesday evening.

The announcement was made by Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad at a press conference in Peshawar.

According to reports, the Ramadan moon was not sighted in India and Bangladesh.

However, Saudi Arabia and most other Gulf states will start the fasting month on Thursday (tomorrow).

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection and community.

Read more: Moon of Ramadan ul Mubarak sighted in Saudi Arabia

A commemoration of Muhammad’s first revelation, the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

Fasting from dawn to sunset is fard (obligatory) for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, or menstruating.

The predawn meal is referred to as suhur, and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is called iftar. Although fatwas have been issued declaring that Muslims who live in regions with a midnight sun or polar night should follow the timetable of Mecca, it is common practice to follow the timetable of the closest country in which night can be distinguished from day.