Govt notifies new Ramadan timings for schools

The Punjab Education Department has announced new school timings for the holy month of Ramadan across the province.

As per the official notification, schools operating in double shifts will follow an adjusted schedule. The first shift will run from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, while the second shift will operate from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. On Fridays, the second shift will have revised hours from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM.

The adjustment aims to facilitate students and staff during Ramadan while ensuring academic activities continue without disruption.

It is pertinent to mention here that Ramadan is likely to start on March 2.

As Muslims around the world prepare for Ramadan, expected to begin around February 28 or March 1 this year, it's worth noting that the holy month will occur twice within a year in the future.

Astronomers explained that this phenomenon occurs roughly every 33 years due to the lunar year being 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year.

As Hassan Ahmed Al Hariri, CEO of the Dubai Astronomy Group, stated that the lunar calendar's annual advance of 10-11 days will result in two Ramadans in 2030. The first will begin on January 4 and the second on December 26.

This means that Muslims will observe 36 days of fasting in a single Gregorian year.

In an effort to ensure a unanimous start to Ramadan 1446 Hijri in Pakistan, the government has decided to convene the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Peshawar on February 28 for the holy month’s moon sighting.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs will oversee all arrangements for moon sighting in Peshawar and other regions, with the main committee chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad.

Zonal committees will also be established to provide their findings, but the final announcement will be made by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Peshawar.

Read more: Over 60% Pakistanis face 'lack of sleep' in Ramadan: survey

Each year, Ramadan moon sighting becomes a point of contention, as the committee in Peshawar often disagrees with the central committee's findings, leading to different start dates for fasting.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in particular, tends to begin fasting a day earlier than the rest of the country.

By shifting the main committee’s session to Peshawar, the government aims to build consensus on the moon sighting and ensure that the entire country begins Ramadan on the same day.