Saudi Arabia authorities said Monday they had sighted the Ramadan moon and that the holy month would begin from April 13.
Following the sighting of the moon, April 12 marked the last day of the month of Shabaan.
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques — Makkah's and Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) mosques — said the Taraweeh prayers would be shortened from 20 to 10 raka’ts amid coronavirus.
Earlier in the day, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad said the committee would meet tomorrow (Tuesday) in Peshawar to sight the Ramadan moon
Speaking to Geo News, Maulana Azad said the committee had also extended an invitation to Mufti Popalzai to attend the meeting.
"I pray to God, may we develop a consensus with Mufti Popalzai," he said. "If Allah wants, our decision and Mufti Popalzai's about the beginning of Ramadan will be the same," added Maulana Azad.
He reiterated his position that Shariah principles and witness testimonies will determine whether the moon has been sighted or not.