ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s central moon sighting committee will meet in the country’s capital today, Sunday, to sight the Shawwal moon and announce the date for Eid Al-Fitr, state-run media reported. 

In Pakistan, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is tasked with sighting the moon for new Islamic months. Dates for Ramadan and Eid festivals are confirmed by the committee through visual observations and based on testimonies received of the crescent being sighted from several parts of the country.

The sighting of the new moon, or the Shawwal crescent, signifies the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid Al-Fitr and its festivities. 

“The meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will be held this evening to sight the Moon of Shawwal,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.

It said RHC Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad will preside over the meeting, which will be held at the rooftop of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in Islamabad. 

The state broadcaster said zonal meetings of the committee to sight the moon will simultaneously be held in Pakistan’s provincial capitals. 

Ramadan in Pakistan began on Mar. 2, a day later than in most other Muslim countries, and Eid is thus widely expected to fall on Mar. 31.

The Shawwal moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, marking the end of the month of Ramadan. Eid Al-Fitr is being celebrated in the Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern countries today.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Hajj directorate in Sindh said this week it will kick off the second phase of its Hajj 2025 training program in the southern province from Apr. 8 in which over 18,000 pilgrims will be trained to perform the pilgrimage.

Pakistan conducted its first phase of training for Hajj pilgrims in January this year with sessions in Islamabad. Pilgrims intending to perform the pilgrimage were trained through audio-visual devices and other materials, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

“The Directorate of Hajj Karachi will organize the second Hajj Awareness Training Program for Hajj 2025 in Sindh’s six districts and under the jurisdiction of the Hajj Camp Karachi,” the religion ministry said in a statement on Saturday. 

“Training will be provided to 3,446 Hajj pilgrims from Apr. 8 to Apr. 13,” it added. 

It said that around 13,834 Hajj pilgrims will also be trained in the Hajj Camp Karachi from Apr. 13 to Apr. 21, while a separate training session will be organized on Apr. 22 at the headquarters of the Boy Scouts in Karachi for approximately 500 Hajj pilgrims belonging to the Shia sect.

“A total of 14,834 Hajj pilgrims will be provided guidance and training through the training programs so that they can be well acquainted with the rituals and travel arrangements of Hajj and perform their spiritual worship in a better manner,” it said. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Hajj 2025 agreement in January this year under which 179,210 pilgrims from Pakistan will perform the annual pilgrimage this year. The quota is divided equally between government and private schemes. 

Pakistan’s Hajj policy has allowed pilgrims to make payments in installments for the first time. Under this scheme, the first installment of Rs200,000 ($717) had to be submitted with the application, the second installment of Rs400,000 ($1,435) within 10 days of balloting and the remaining amount by Feb. 10 this year.

The Pakistani religious affairs ministry has also launched the Pak Hajj 2025 mobile application, available for both Android and iPhone users, to guide pilgrims.