The Ramazan moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday night, according to Gulf News.

In separate reports, the publication said that Wednesday (Feb 18) would be the first day of the holy month in both countries.

The official Saudi Press Agency also said on X that Wednesday would be the first day of the holy month in the kingdom.

Tolo News, meanwhile, also announced that Ramazan would begin on February 18 in Afghanistan.

“In a statement issued by the Supreme Court, it said that in the provinces of Parwan, Kandahar, Helmand, and Zabul, a large number of people sighted the crescent moon of Ramadan and reported it to the Sharia courts,” it said in a post on X.

Saudi Arabia’s Gulf neighbours Oman, Qatar and the UAE also made similar announcements.

Last week, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) said that the first day of Ramazan in Pakistan “likely to fall” on February 19 (Thursday).

However, the agency said the final announcement regarding the beginning of the Islamic holy month will be made by the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, “which is the sole competent authority, based on credible witness testimonies from across the country”.

It is worth mentioning that a meeting of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee will be held tomorrow at the Auqaf Department building in Peshawar.

According to a notification issued by the religious affairs ministry, zonal and district committee meetings will also be held at their respective headquarters.

“The chairman Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee will announce the decision of moon sighting or otherwise subsequently on the basis of information received to this end,” it said.