Shawwal moon not sighted, Eid to be observed on Tuesday

ISLAMABAD: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee's announced on Sunday that it did not receive any reports related to the sighting of the moon of Shawwal 1443 AH today, meaning that the first day of Eid in Pakistan will fall on May 3.

The main meeting of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee was held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in Islamabad with Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad in the chair, while the zonal committees met in their respective cities to sight the Shawwal crescent.

The zonal committees had reported to the main body that they had not sighted the moon. Subsequently, Maulana Azad announced that the moon was not sighted in the country.

"It was decided through consensus that Eid will be observed on May 3. Eid will be celebrated across the country on Tuesday, May 3,” said Maulana Azad in a press conference after the moon was not sighted. 

Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had said that the age of the moon is 17 hours, and it must be 19 hours in order to sight it.

The department had also said that there are no chances of the Shawwal moon being sighted today.

Meanwhile, South Waziristan in Pakistan and Afghanistan are celebrating Eid today after the Shawwal moon was sighted in the area yesterday.