Astronomer Dr. Javed Iqbal has said that the Shawwal moon is unlikely to be sighted in Pakistan on April 20.
The reason for this revelation is that a total solar eclipse is expected on that day, which will not be visible in Pakistan and India.
Dr Iqbal has said that the moon will be born at 9:15 am during the eclipse, and its age at sunset on April 20 will be 9 hours and 45 minutes, making it too young to be visible.
Therefore, he believes that Eid-ul-Fitr is also unlikely to be celebrated on April 21 in Pakistan. However, as per usual practice, the government will endorse whatever decision the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee comes up with regarding the official date of Eidul-Fitr after the sighting of the Shawwal moon.
Traditionally, the sighting of the moon used to be done through the naked eye or with telescopes. However, with the advancement of technology, astronomers and moon sighters now use scientific methods and tools to determine the visibility of the moon.
These include the age of the moon, its position, and the lunar calendar. This has led to increased accuracy and reliability in predicting the sighting of the moon.
TAGS: Shawwal moon sighting, Eid-ul-Fitr date, Pakistan lunar calendar, Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, Muslim holidays, Ramadan, Total solar eclipse, Astronomy, Moon sighting traditions, Traditional Islamic calendar, Lunar visibility, Muslim festivals, Moon sighting controversy, Eid celebrations, Religious holidays, Dr. Javed Iqbal, Lunar observation, Scientific approach to moon sighting, Modern technology and moon sighting, Islamic traditions, Moon age, Predicting lunar visibility, Meteorological departments, Islamic scholars, Moon sighting methodologies.
