The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will hold its meeting today in Peshawar to sight the Ramadan moon. The final announcement regarding the sighting will be made by Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad.
Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committees will also hold meetings at their respective locations. In Peshawar, the zonal committee’s meeting will be presided over by Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai.
According to the Meteorological Department, there is a very low chance of moon sighting today. The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council has predicted that the first fast (Roza) is likely to be observed on Sunday.
Astronomers have stated that moon sighting on Friday, February 28, is not possible as the age of the moon at sunset will be less than 14 hours, whereas a minimum of 19 hours is required for visibility.
The angular distance between the moon and the sun should be at least 10 degrees, but it will only be 5 degrees today.
The time gap between sunset and moonset should be at least 40 minutes, whereas it will be only 30 minutes in Quetta and Jiwani, and 29 minutes in other areas.
Given these astronomical factors, experts confirm that the moon will not be visible to the naked eye or even through a telescope.