Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to meet on Feb 28 for Ramadan moon sighting

ISLAMABAD: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Peshawar on February 28, 2025, for the sighting of the Ramadan moon, a notification from the Ministry of Religious Affairs said.

The committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad will preside over the session, which will commence after the Asr prayer.

Furthermore, the notification stated that different zonal committees will hold separate meetings in their respective domains — to receive and assess moon sighting reports of Ramadan 1446 Hijri.

The final decision on moon sighting will come from the central body and the religious affairs ministry will oversee the arrangements.

Clerics from all schools of thought will attend the central huddle to ascertain the beginning of the ninth Islamic month.

Earlier this week, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted that the first day of fasting in Pakistan is expected to fall on March 2.

According to the PMD’s announcement, the moon will be sighted on February 28 at 5:45 PM, which will increase the chances of the crescent sighting on March 1.

Globally, media outlets have also suggested that the Ramadan moon is likely to be sighted on February 28 in countries like the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries, with March 1 being the starting point for Ramadan in these regions.