The Sindh government has announced a five-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the most anticipated Muslim festivals, following the announcement of similar holidays by the federal and Punjab governments. The notification issued by the Sindh government on Monday stated that public holidays will be observed from April 21 to 25, 2023, throughout the province of Sindh for all government offices, autonomous, semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, and local councils under the administrative control of the government of Sindh, except for essential services.
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to meet on April 20 to sight the Eid-ul-Fitr crescent moon, as per the statement from the religious affairs ministry. The meeting will be held at the religious affairs ministry in Islamabad and will be presided over by Ruet-e-Halal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad.
Experts predict that the birth of the moon will occur on Thursday, April 20, at 9:13 am Pakistan time. On the evening of the 29th of Ramazan, the moon’s age at sunset should be more than 19 hours for sighting, which will not be the case in all areas of Pakistan. In all areas of Pakistan, the age of the moon will be less than 10 hours. Additionally, the difference between sunset and moonset, which should be more than 40 minutes, will only be 21 minutes in Peshawar, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad, Charsadda, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Quetta, and Jiwani, and 20 minutes in Lahore and Karachi.
Ramadan 2023 started on March 23, after much confusion during the meeting for the moonsighting. The Sindh government’s announcement of public holidays on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr 1444 A.H came a month after the start of Ramadan.
The Federal government had already announced five-day-long Eid-ul-Fitr holidays from April 21 to 25, 2023, prior to the Sindh government’s announcement. The Provincial Services, General Administration, and Coordination Department have issued a notification in this regard. All government offices, semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, and local councils under the administrative control of the government of Sindh, except for essential services, will remain closed during the public holidays.
In conclusion, the announcement of public holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr by the Sindh government is a welcome move, as it provides an opportunity for Muslims in Sindh to celebrate the festival with their families and loved ones. The sighting of the moon is an important event, as it marks the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid-ul-Fitr, a time of celebration, generosity, and goodwill. The government’s decision to declare public holidays for this occasion is an acknowledgement of the significance of this festival in the lives of Muslims in Pakistan.
