The federal government has officially notified the Eid-ul-Fitr Holidays 2024 after social media was buzzing with speculations and sagas. According to the notification issued by the Cabinet Division, offices that work five days a week will be closed for three public holidays from April 10 to 12.
Meanwhile, offices that work six days a week will be closed for four public holidays from April 10 to 13.
“The prime minister has been pleased to approve public holidays on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr,” read the notification signed by Press Information Department (PID) Principal Information Officer Muhammad Aqib Gulzar.
According to the Met Office, the first day of Eid ul Fitr is expected to fall on April 10 as the Shawwal moon is predicted to be sighted on April 9.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has remarked that the crescent will be born on April 8 at 11:21 pm and will be between 19 and 20 hours old the next day around the Maghrib prayer. The crescent will be visible for over 50 minutes around sundown.
PMD has indicated that the sky will be mostly apparent across the country on April 9, except for the northern areas which may encounter cloudy weather.
Ramadan started on March 12 in Pakistan, following the sighting of the crescent moon the prior day. The PMD’s forecast implies that if it holds, Pakistanis will observe a 29-day fast during the holy month.
Eid ul Fitr is a momentous occasion observed by Muslims all around the world. It is celebrated after the completion of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal. The Islamic month of Ramadan is a time for practicing tolerance and self-control, encouraging charity and welfare, while Eid serves as a cheerful and joyous occasion instantly after that.
Islamic months last either 29 or 30 days, and the beginning or end of a month depends on the formation of the crescent. Hence, Ramadan is not set on any specific day annually.
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The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the 12 months of the Islamic calendar. Despite having as many months as the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar is almost 10 days shorter due to it being based on the lunar orbit.
This is why Ramadan falls at a different time every year according to the Gregorian calendar.
