In a celestial event that resonates throughout the Islamic world, the sighting of the crescent moon heralds the approaching holy month of Ramadan.
According to the Hijri calendar published on the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) website, Ramadan is expected to begin on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
According to several reports, the first Ramadan in Pakistan is also expected to be observed on or around the above date.
Temperatures during this period are expected to be mild, in line with the onset of the spring season in the UAE.
This anticipation was heightened when the United Arab Emirates International Astronomical Center officially announced the sighting of the Sha’ban crescent moon on Saturday, February 10.
The announcement, conveyed through various social media posts, revealed images of the faint crescent moon captured by the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory in Abu Dhabi.
Two distinct moments were frozen in time: the first at 11am and the second during the evening, both showing the presence of a celestial marker in the UAE sky.
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As a result, Saturday 10 February marked the culmination of the month of Rajab and the following day, Sunday 11 February, was marked as the start of Sha’ban 1 in the UAE.
In other news, in Pakistan, according to the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the month of Shaban remained elusive and did not make its presence known anywhere in the country.
In light of these differences, the committee officially declared that 1 Hijri Sha’ban 1445 falls on Monday, February 12 in Pakistan.
Rooted in the non-sighting of the moon, this decision also has an impact on the observance of Shab-e-Barat, which is scheduled for February 26.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs was quick to respond to the announcement of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and issued a notice and disseminated this decision to the public.
