PESHAWAR: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal committee is scheduled to convene in Peshawar on March 11 to sight the moon for the beginning of Ramzan 1445 Hijrah, just a few days away.

The meeting of the central committee will commence after Asr on Monday (29 Shaaban) in Peshawar. The chairman of the Ruet-e-Hilal committee, Abdul Khabir Azad, will preside over the meeting. Zonal committees will also conduct meetings in their respective regions.

Following the meeting, the committee will announce whether the moon for Ramazan has been sighted. According to astronomers, the moon will rise on March 10 but will not be visible until March 11.

The first Taraweeh prayers are scheduled for the night of March 11, with a 95 percent likelihood that the first fast will be observed on Tuesday, March 12. Muslims worldwide fast from dawn until sunset, with fasting hours varying from 12 to 17 hours depending on their location.

Earlier reports indicated that Islamic countries would observe the crescent for Ramazan on March 10. However, the moon is anticipated to be visible after sunset in most Islamic countries on March 11, signifying the commencement of Ramazan in numerous locations.

Nevertheless, the likelihood of sighting the crescent on March 10 is low based on scientific criteria for crescent visibility.