- The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on March 30, 2025, to confirm the sighting of the Shawwal moon, marking the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid ul Fitr.
- The sighting of the moon with the naked eye is a religious requirement, so reports from different regions will be reviewed before making an official announcement about Eid.
- Predictions by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) suggest that the Shawwal moon will be visible on March 30, 2025, meaning Eid ul Fitr will likely be on March 31, 2025.
The committee’s decision is crucial in ensuring a unified and accurate date for Eid ul Fitr, following traditional Islamic practices while considering modern scientific methods.
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Pakistan plays a key role in determining the start of important Islamic months, such as Ramadan and Shawwal, based on the sighting of the moon. This process is essential for marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid ul Fitr, one of the most significant religious festivals in Islam. In 2025, the committee will meet on the evening of March 30, the 29th day of Ramadan, to review moon sighting reports and confirm whether the Shawwal moon is visible, signaling the start of Eid ul Fitr.
The sighting of the Shawwal moon is crucial in Islam, as it marks the official end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Eid ul Fitr, a joyous festival involving prayers, charity, family gatherings, and special meals. The exact date of Eid ul Fitr is determined by the visibility of the new crescent moon of Shawwal, which follows Ramadan.
The meeting on March 30, 2025, will be held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, with religious scholars, meteorologists, and experts from across Pakistan. They will assess reports from various regions, where people observe the crescent moon with the naked eye. These reports will help the committee make an official decision about the date of Eid ul Fitr.
While in the past, moon sighting was based on individual reports, recent advancements in technology, such as satellite imagery and astronomical calculations, have improved predictions. The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) released predictions in February 2025, suggesting the Shawwal moon would be visible on March 30, 2025, meaning Eid ul Fitr would fall on March 31, 2025. Despite this, the committee still relies on traditional moon sightings as a religious requirement.
The committee’s responsibility extends beyond Eid ul Fitr to determining the start of Ramadan and the Islamic New Year, which begins with the month of Muharram. However, the moon sighting process can sometimes cause confusion, especially when the moon is visible in one region but not another. This is why the committee’s decision is crucial, as it provides a unified and authoritative announcement for the entire country.
In conclusion, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on March 30, 2025, to confirm the Shawwal moon sighting and announce the official date for Eid ul Fitr. While technology aids predictions, the requirement for a naked-eye sighting ensures that traditional Islamic practices are upheld.
