Ramazan moon sighted, first fast today

PESHAWAR: Ramazan moon was sighted in various parts of the country on Monday and the first day of the holy month is being observed today (Tuesday).

This was announced by Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad here Monday evening.

Maulana Azad said that the crescent had been sighted and the first of Ramazan of Hijri year 1445 would be observed across the country on March 12 (today).

Besides others, the meeting was attended by religious scholars of all schools of thoughts.

The meeting of the zonal Ruet e Hilal committees were held in their respective offices.

The committee was assisted by officials of Pakistan Metrological Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs and others relevant organisations.

The central and zonal moon-sighting committees collected countless testimonials. A number of the members of the committees themselves sighted the crescent and made an early announcement.

The private Ruet-e-Hilal committee also met at Masjid Qasim Ali Khan soon after Maghrib prayers. Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai chaired the meeting. The committee too received several witnesses to make an early announcement about the observance of fasting today.

Thus the first of Ramazan would be observed unanimously across the country. It has been quite rare in the country’s history that both the official and private committees make the announcement simultaneously and the holy month starts on the same day.

However, the Afghan refugees living in the country also observed the first Ramazan on Monday. Fasting was observed on Monday as well in the Bajaur district of KP.