Ramzan moon not sighted, holy month to begin from Saturday

Srinagar: Kashmir’s Grand cleric Mufti Nasir-ul Islam Thursday evening said that moon has not been sighted anywhere in Jammu and Kashmir and that the first day of fasting month will be on April 25 (Saturday).
When contacted he told Kashmir Horizon over phone “there is no evidence of sighting of Ramadhan moon anywhere in Kashmir or Jammu region. So, first day of holy month will be on April 25.” He urged people to maintain social distancing and to pray all mandatory and Taraweeh prayers at home to prevent spread of Covid-19 Pandemic. The announcement from Mufti Nasir Ul Islam came soon after Pakistan’s Ruet-i-Hilal Committee announced that the Ramazan moon had not been sighted and holy month will commence from Saturday. The Ramazan crescent was sighted in Saudi Arabia, however, where the fasting month will begin on Friday, Arab News reported. It was also sighted in the United Arab Emirates, according to The National daily.
This year, the holy month will be observed amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has brought most countries to a halt. Pakistan, too, is struggling to cope with the challenge by trying to ensure social distancing to curb the spread of the virus while allowing business activities and religious congregations to continue.