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ADMINISTRATOR AUQAF, ASIA, CENTRAL RUET - I - HILAL COMMITTEE, CHARSADDA, CHARSADDA ROAD, CLIMATE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, GULF, GULF NATIONS SAUDI ARABIA, I - HILAL, ISLAMABAD, KARACHI, LAHORE, MAULANA YASEEN ZAFAR, MIDDLE EAST, MINISTRY OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, MU, MUFTI QARI MEHRULLAH, PAKISTAN, PESHAWAR, QASIM ALI KHAN MOSQUE, QATAR, QUETTA, RAIN, RAMAZAN, RELIGION, RUET - I - HILAL, SAHIBZADA SYED HABIBULLAH CHISHTI, SAUDI ARABIA, SHAHABUDDIN POPALZAI, UAE, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, ZONAL RUET - I - HILAL
Daniel O'Connor
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Ramazan to Begin: Moon Not Sighted in Pakistan, Confirmed Start Dates in Gulf
The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee in Pakistan announced that the moon was not sighted, thus Ramazan will begin on Sunday, March 2. Conversely, Saudi Arabia and Gulf nations will commence the holy month on Saturday, March 1. The UAE has also introduced AI-equipped drones to assist in moon sighting.
The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee of Pakistan announced on Friday that the moon marking the commencement of Ramazan was not sighted anywhere in the nation. As a result, the first day of the holy month will occur on Sunday, March 2. Chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, the committee convened in Peshawar, where it reported that cloudy conditions impeded visibility in many regions, although a few had clearer skies.
Meetings of zonal Ruet-i-Hilal committees took place in key cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Quetta, but no credible confirmations of moon sightings emerged from any venue. The committee works in coordination with various local and national agencies to provide accurate moon sighting data, and officials from several departments including meteorology and religious affairs participated in this effort.
In Peshawar, an unofficial moon sighting committee led by Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai also declared that Ramazan would begin on Sunday, consistent with the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee’s announcement. Mufti Popalzai remarked, “No witnesses regarding the moon sighting were received, so Ramazan will begin on Sunday (March 2).”
Conversely, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbors confirmed that Ramazan would start on Saturday, March 1. This declaration was supported by several Muslim nations that traditionally follow Saudi announcements, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia announced, “tomorrow, Saturday, is the first day of the month of (Ramazan).”
Additionally, the United Arab Emirates deployed AI-equipped drones to assist in moon sighting efforts. This pioneering approach aims to enhance the traditional method of visually observing the crescent moon. The Emirates reported that the usage of AI drones is intended to support the confirmation of moon sightings alongside astronomical observatories equipped with advanced technology.
The UAE’s initiative allows moon spotters to report sightings through a designated hotline or online platform, paralleling its innovative approaches in technology leadership. This effort demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to embracing modern technology while adhering to longstanding cultural traditions.
In summary, Ramazan’s commencement dates differ in various regions, with Pakistan observing the holy month starting on Sunday, March 2, as confirmed by the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbors will begin their observance on Saturday. Furthermore, the UAE’s adoption of AI technology for moon sighting highlights the intersection of tradition and modernization in religious practices.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
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