'Fair' chance of Ramazan moon sighting today

Islamabad: If the Pakistan Meteorological Department is to be believed, then there is a high likelihood of the first day of Ramazan, the Islamic month of fasting, falling tomorrow (Thursday) due to the sighting of the new moon.

The country's main moon-sighting body, Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, will meet today (Wednesday) to gather evidence from across the country about the sighting of the crescent before announcing the start of Ramazan.

It will be assisted by the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, and Pakistan Navy. According to a senior PMD, Islamabad, official, Ramazan is likely to begin on May 17 as there is a 'fair chance' of the fasting month's moon being sighted on May 16. He said the Ramazan moon would be born on 4:49pm on May 16 and its age would be 26 hours and 45 minutes.