Rabi-ul-Awwal is likely to commence from April 21, said Director Pakistan Meteorological Department Malik Ghulam Qadir here on Friday.
"The astronomical considerations suggest that there are bright chances of sighting the new moon of Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 Hijri on April 20 throughout the country," he said.
Therefore, the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal would commence from April 21, subject to confirmation by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, he added.
Elaborating the technical aspects, he informed that certain threshold values of astronomical parameters were essential for the possibility of sighting the new moon of Rabi-ul-Awwal.
He said the age of new moon should be more than 19 hours at the time of twilight for sighting the new moon of Rabi-ul-Awwal; "whereas this time it is more than 24 hours throughout the country."
The minimum duration of new moon after sunset should be more than 41 minutes, whereas it is more than 50 minutes all over the country, he said.
"As the conditions for sighting the new moon of Rabi-ul-Awwal on April 20 are completely satisfied by all parameters, therefore, 1st of Rabi-ul-Awwal would fall on April 21st and Insha-Allah, Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) would be celebrated on May 2 throughout the country," Malik Ghulam Qadir added.
RUET BODY: Meeting of Zonal and District Ruet-e-Hilal committees for sighting the moon of Rabi-ul-Awwal, 1425 A.H. will be held on Tuesday (April 20) at their respective headquarters.
Chairman Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will attend the meeting of Sindh Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee at Habib Bank Plaza Karachi.
All information about the moon will be conveyed to him at Karachi by phone numbers: (021) 2418000-35 Ext: 2423 and 2650, Mobile No. 0300-9285203 for the final announcement.