As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, people around the world are eagerly awaiting the celebration of Eid ul Fitr. In Pakistan, the holiday is expected to fall on Saturday, April 22, and there are indications that the government may extend the Eid holidays to allow for more time to celebrate.
Eid holidays likely to be extended in Pakistan
According to a report published in The News, a decision on extending the Eid holidays is expected soon. If approved, the holidays will be from April 20 (Thursday) to April 25 (Tuesday), giving people a six-day break.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Interior announced a five-day holiday from April 21 (Friday) to April 25 (Tuesday). However, the possibility of an extended break has been welcomed by many.
The decision to extend the holidays would be especially important this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With cases rising in Pakistan and the rest of the world, many people are still cautious about traveling and gathering in large groups.
Celebrating Eid at home with family is a tradition that is deeply ingrained in Pakistani culture. However, with the pandemic still a concern, many people may be hesitant to travel to their hometowns or host large gatherings.
If the holidays are extended, it would give people more time to spend with their loved ones and celebrate Eid in a safe and responsible manner.
The decision to extend the holidays would also have economic implications, as it would boost domestic tourism and provide a much-needed boost to local businesses that have been struggling due to the pandemic.
However, the decision to extend the holidays will ultimately depend on the sighting of the Shawwal moon. The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council (RHRC) is set to convene on Thursday, April 20, to sight the moon and determine the official date of Eid ul Fitr.
Experts believe that the birth of the moon is expected to occur on Thursday, April 20, at 9:13 am Pakistan time. However, the age of the moon at sunset on the evening of the 29th of Ramazan is expected to be less than 10 hours in all areas of Pakistan, which could make it difficult to sight the moon.
The difference between sunset and moonset, which should be more than 40 minutes, will only be 21 minutes in some areas, including Peshawar, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad, Charsadda, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Quetta, and Jiwani, and 20 minutes in Lahore and Karachi.
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Despite the challenges, the RHRC will make every effort to sight the moon and determine the official date of Eid ul Fitr. Once the date is confirmed, the government will make a decision on whether to extend the holidays.
In the meantime, people around the country are eagerly awaiting the decision, hoping for an extended break to celebrate Eid with their loved ones. If the holidays are extended, it would be a much-needed break for many after a challenging year marked by the pandemic.
