ISLAMABAD – The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to hold a key meeting today (Friday) in Islamabad to sight the moon of Safar-ul-Muzaffar 1447 Hijri. Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad will chair the session, which will take place on the rooftop of the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Kohsar Block. The meeting is expected to start around 6:45 PM, as per the official schedule shared by the ministry’s spokesperson.
At the same time, zonal and district-level moon sighting committees will also gather in all provincial capitals and major cities across Pakistan. These local meetings aim to collect testimonies from different parts of the country for better accuracy. Their observations will be reported to the central body, ensuring that the final decision represents the national consensus on the moon sighting.
The spokesperson, Muhammad Umar Butt, confirmed that the entire process will be conducted with nationwide coordination. This system ensures that reports from remote or weather-challenged areas are also considered before reaching a conclusion. By combining multiple sources of information, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee can deliver a fair and trustworthy decision to the public.
As part of the procedure, the committee will not rely solely on visual testimonies but will also take into account data provided by meteorologists and space experts. These experts will offer guidance on moon visibility based on atmospheric conditions and scientific forecasts. Such input helps reduce errors and promotes unity in observing Islamic events.
Once all testimonies and scientific inputs are reviewed, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will make an official announcement. This declaration will confirm whether the month of Safar begins on Saturday or Sunday, allowing citizens to plan accordingly. Religious leaders have requested the public to avoid making assumptions and to wait for the formal statement.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has urged people to stay connected through official channels for timely updates. Any unofficial or misleading announcements may cause confusion, especially in matters involving religious observance. Therefore, the ministry emphasizes the importance of trusting authorized announcements from the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee only.