The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council has suggested that Eid ul Fitr is likely to be celebrated after the completion of 30 days of Ramadan this year. According to the council, Eid is expected to fall on Saturday, March 21, as the Shawwal moon is unlikely to be sighted on Thursday, March 19.
Secretary General Khalid Ijaz Mufti said that the new moon will be born at 6:23 am Pakistan time on March 19. However, by sunset that day, the moon’s age will be around 13 hours.
He explained that the crescent usually becomes visible when it is at least 19 hours old, which makes its sighting unlikely in this situation. He further stated that even if the weather remains clear, the moon will not be visible to the naked eye or even with the help of binoculars or telescopes because it will not be old enough.
On the basis of these astronomical estimates, the council believes Ramadan will last 30 days, and Eid ul Fitr is likely to be observed on March 21. The final decision, however, will be announced after the official moon sighting process.