Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to hold Ramadan moon sighting in Peshawar

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.

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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.

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.

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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.