KARACHI:  The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (CRHC) will meet today to the sight the crescent for the month of Shawwal, which  marks the end of fasting month of Ramazan. 

 The Pakistan Meteorological Department said it is unlikely that the Shawal moon will be sighted on Thursday, Geo TV reported.

“There are fewer chances of the Eid moon being sighted today,” the Met Office said while stating that chances are higher of Eid-ul -Fitr being celebrated on Saturday, June 16 across Pakistan.

The moon can only be sighted if it is 26 hours and 42 minutes old, it added while stating that at sundown the moon will be 19 hours and three minutes old.

The new moon of Shawwal, 1439 AH will be born on crossing conjunction point at 00-45 PST on 14-06-2018, a statement by the Met office said.

In a press release on June 4, the Met office said that there was slight chance of sighting of the moon. 

According to astronomical parameters, there is a slight chance of sighting the new moon of Shawwal, 1439 AH on the evening of 14-06-2018 i.e. on 29th of Ramzan, 1439 AH.

Te weather is expected fair/partly cloudy in most parts of the country, according to climate record.

The authorities have set up Special Cells to collect evidence of moon sighting from different parts of the country.

CHRC chairman Mufti Munib ur Rehman will preside over the committee's meeting in Karachi to sight the moon. 

People have been asked to approach the relevant authorities to submit evidence.

Here are the contact number people can dial to submit the evidence:

Mufti Munibur Rehman: 0300-9285203 and 0321-2022000

Noor Islam Shah (DG R R): 0333-5453499

Hafiz Abdul Qudoos (Deputy Director -0333-2697051 and line numbers 021-99261412 021-9926413.

Eidul Fitr in the holiday that marks the end of Ramazn-u- Mubarak.

Beside the Central Ruet-e-Hial Committee, zonal moon sighting bodies hold their meetings in major cities of the country to collect the evidence regarding the sighting of crescent.  

Dawoodi Bohras mark Eid

In Karachi, Bohra community celebrated Eid with religious  and tradional fervour.  The community offered Eid prayers at Taheri masjid and other mosques in the city.

Saudi top court to decide on moon

The Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia has called Muslims living in the Kingdom to sight the moon for the month of Shawwal on Thursday evening, Ramadan 29, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Tuesday.

According to the news agency, the people have been asked to report to the nearest court and register their testimonies if they sight the crescent by the naked eyes or through binoculars.

UAE forms committee

Tasked with spotting the new crescent moon that will signal Eid Al Fitr, the UAE's moon-sighting committee has been formed in UAE.

On Tuesday, UAE Minister of Justice Sultan Al Badi called for the committee to be formed and hold its first meeting at Abu Dhabi Judicial Department after maghrib prayers on Thursday night – Ramadan 29.

The meeting will be held under the chairmanship of Mr Al Badi along with a number of senior officials, reported state news agency Wam.

The minister also called on all Sharia courts across the country to look out for the new moon and report any sightings to the committee.