Ramazan to Begin in Pakistan on March 2; Gulf Nations Start on March 1

The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee of Pakistan announced that Ramazan will begin on Sunday, March 2, due to the absence of moon sightings. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Gulf nations declared that the holy month starts on Saturday, March 1. The UAE is utilizing AI drones to assist in moon sighting efforts.

On March 1, the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee of Pakistan convened in Peshawar and announced that the crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramazan was not sighted nationwide. Consequently, it was determined that the holy month would commence on Sunday, March 2. Committee Chair Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad stated that although some areas had clear skies, no sightings were reported from any region due to cloudy weather overall.
Zonal committees in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Quetta collaborated to verify sightings but failed to confirm any credible reports. In conjunction with local authorities and the meteorological office, the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee strived to ensure accurate moon sighting results. Notable members of the committee included Maulana Hafiz Abdul Ghafoor and Mufti Qari Mehrullah among others.
Additionally, an unofficial moon sighting committee led by Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai at the Qasim Ali Khan Mosque in Peshawar supported the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee’s decision, also declaring that Ramazan would start on March 2. Popalzai confirmed, “No witnesses regarding the moon sighting were received, so Ramazan will begin on Sunday.”
In contrast, Saudi Arabia and several Gulf nations announced that Ramazan would commence a day earlier, on Saturday, March 1. The Saudi Press Agency reported that Supreme Court officials declared the crescent moon sighting confirmed for their region, aligning with the UAE and Qatar in observing the beginning of the holy month the same day. Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani of Iraq, however, noted that their observance would begin on Sunday.
Innovatively, the United Arab Emirates employed AI-equipped drones to aid in the moon sighting process, a first of its kind in the world. This method reinforces the traditional practice of skywatching while enhancing precision through advanced technology as noted by WAM news agency, though specific details regarding the drones were not disclosed. Citizens were encouraged to report any moon sightings via a hotline or online form, signifying the UAE’s commitment to implementing advanced technologies in various sectors.

The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee officially confirmed the beginning of Ramazan in Pakistan for March 2, following the absence of credible moon sightings. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations will observe the holy month starting on March 1. Additionally, the UAE utilized AI-equipped drones for moon sighting, highlighting advancements in technology that complement traditional observation methods. This difference in dates reflects varied interpretations within the Muslim community regarding moon sightings, as celebrated by different regions.

Original Source: www.dawn.com