The Pakistan Meteorological Department has made an exciting prediction, anticipating the sighting of the Ramazan moon on March 11, 2024. According to their forecast, the Ramazan crescent is set to emerge on March 10 at 2 PM, and by the following day, it will be over 28 hours old, increasing the likelihood of its visibility.
The Met Office highlighted that on March 11, clear skies are expected in central and lower Sindh as well as Balochistan. However, parts of the upper regions might experience less favorable weather conditions due to a western system and cloudy skies.
In concurrence, Khalid Ejaz Mufti, General Secretary of Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s Research Council, suggested that the first fast of Ramazan is anticipated to commence on Tuesday, March 12. He emphasized that if the skies remain clear on the evening of March 11, the crescent could be sighted, paving the way for the commencement of Ramazan the following day.
Mufti further clarified that it would not be feasible to sight the Ramazan moon on the evening of March 10 in any Islamic country worldwide.
Detailing the technical aspects, it was noted that the new moon would be born at 2 PM Pakistani time on March 10. By the evening of March 11, the moon’s age at sunset—crucial for crescent sighting—will surpass 19 hours, reaching over 28 hours across all regions of Pakistan.
The time difference between sunset and moonset, which ideally should be at least 40 minutes, will exceed expectations in various regions of Pakistan, including Karachi, Gwadar, Lahore, Quetta, Islamabad, Peshawar, Charsadda, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit.
With clear skies forecasted in areas across Pakistan, the anticipation for the crescent sighting is high, fostering hope that Ramazan will commence from March 12, 2024. Stay tuned for updates as the Islamic month approaches, marking a significant period of fasting and spiritual reflection for Muslims worldwide.