The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) will convene on March 22 to observe the new crescent of the holy month of Ramazn, according to the Religious Affairs Secretary.
Dr. Aftab Akbar Durrani, Religious Affairs Secretary, expressed hope on Sunday that the new crescent of the holy month of Ramazan will be revealed after reaching an agreement with all parties.
According to the state news agency, he stated that there was a legitimate procedure for moon sightings and the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC), which had always taken provinces into account in the subject.
Secretary Durrani stated that the committee had never been rude to anyone and had carried out its duties properly.
According to government sources, the committee planned to convene on March 22 in Peshawar to observe the crescent.
The committee would be comprised of representatives of religious scholars, SPARCO, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, they added.
They said the final announcement regarding the moon sighting would be made public in the light of testimonies received from all over the country.
Meanwhile, the PMD had forecast the possibility of a Ramazan moon sighting on March 22, (29th Sha’ban 1444 AH).
It said the new moon of Ramazan 1444 AH was expected to be born on the crossing conjunction point at 22-23 PST on March 21. “It will be clear or partly cloudy in most parts of the country on March 22,” the PMD forecast the weather condition pertaining to the particular day across the country.
It may be separately mentioned, here, that after facing severe criticism from the public, the interim Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had directed for immediate withdrawal of a tender notice issued by the Auqaf Department to arrange lavish dinner arrangements for the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s meeting scheduled to be held for Ramazan moon sighting on March 22 in the provincial capital.
