There are strong chances of sighting new moon of Zilhaj in the evening of January 11, 2005, Pakistan Meteorological Department's Spokesman has said on Friday. Therefore, he said, the first Zilhaj would fall on January 12, adding as such Eid-ul-Azha was likely to be observed in the country on Friday, January 21, 2005, subject to confirmation by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.

While elaborating the technical aspects, the Spokesman said that following threshold values of astronomical parameters were essential for the possibility of sighting the new Zilhij moon.

Age of the new moon should be more than 19 hours at the time of twilight for sighting the new moon of Zilhij, whereas this time it is, off course more than 25 hours throughout the country. Minimum duration of the new moon after sunset should be more than 41 minutes whereas at this occasion, it is also more than two hours all over the country.

As such conditions for sighting the new moon of Zilhij on January 11, 2005, are completely consonant with all parameters. Therefore, first Zilhij would start from January 12 and Eid-ul-Azha would be celebrated throughout the country on January 21.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005