KARACHI, Oct 21: As experts agree that the 1st of Shawwal 1426 AH will fall on Nov 4, religious scholars insist that Eidul Fitr can be celebrated only if the Shawwal moon is visible to the naked eye.

The preceding Islamic month, Shaban, consisted of 30 days. And if Eid falls on Nov 4, Ramazan will have 29 days.

A press statement issued by the Pakistan Space andUpper Atmosphere Research Commission says that 1st of Shawwal 1426 AH will fall on Nov 4 (Friday.)

“The predicted parameters for the new moon of Shawwal 1426 AH show that chances of sighting the new moon on Nov 3 in Pakistan, particularly in western parts of the country, are bright, subject to clear weather conditions,” it says.

The director-general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Dr Qamaruzzaman Chaudhry, explained that twilight lasted for about 15 minutes after the sun had gone down.

“If a new moon appears within 15 minutes of the fainting of twilight, it cannot be sighted. But if it appears after 15 minutes (and less than 20 minutes) of the fainting of twilight, it can be sighted. Furthermore, some angular issues are also involved in the sighting of a new moon,” he explained.

When asked why an almanac of the Islamic calendar, like the Bikramajit Hindu calendar, which is also a lunar calendar, could not be prepared, the chief meteorologist said such an almanac was indeed prepared by his department. However, he added that the sighting of the moon of important religious months was done by the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee.

The chairman of the 12-member Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, Mufti Munibur Rahman, said that even if the birth of the Shawwal moon had taken place, Eid could not be celebrated unless it was actually sighted.

“The Prophet (Peace be upon him) made it absolutely clear when he said that the Muslims should start the month of fasting by sighting the moon of Ramazan and celebrate Eid by sighting the moon of Shawwal. So, we do take assistance from scientific techniques and equipment, but the final decision rests on the actual sighting of the moon,” he said.