September 09, 2008	Tuesday	Ramazan 8, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 8: The Shawwal moon is likely to be sighted on Oct 1 and, therefore, Eid will be on Thursday, Oct 2, according to the meteorological department.

It said that the current astronomical alignments considerations suggested that there was no possibility of sighting the Shawwal crescent on Sept 30 and, therefore, Ramazan would be of 30 days.

The department said the age of the new moon should be more than 31 hours at twilight, but on Sept 30 it would be less than 30 hours old all over the country.

It said the minimum duration of the new moon after sunset should be more than 41 minutes, whereas it would be less than 25 minutes over most parts of the country.

The position of the new moon and its angles at the time of the sunset would not meet the basic requirement of moon sighting, according to Met Office director Mohammad Akram.