The Council of Islamic Ideology chairman has announced the guidelines for fitrana (charity) and fidya (compensation) for fasting during Ramazan.

In a statement, CII Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi stated that this year, a minimum of Rs220 should be paid as Fitrana per person.

According to the issued guidelines, the amounts for Fitrana are as follows: Rs220 for wheat, Rs450 for barley, and Rs1,650 for dates. Amounts for raisins are set at Rs2,500 while the rate for dried figs (Munakka) is Rs5,000.

The CII chairman emphasised that affluent individuals should contribute to fitrana and fidya according to their financial capabilities.

Dr Naeemi further stated, “Paying Fitrana is obligatory for every Muslim, whether free or enslaved, male or female.”

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to meet in Peshawar on February 28 to observe the sighting of the Ramazan moon. Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad would preside over the meeting. It would commence after the Asr prayer.

Various zonal committees would hold meetings in their respective areas to collect and evaluate moon sighting reports.

The ministry added that all arrangements for the meeting would be carried out under its supervision.

A weather analyst at the Saudi National Centre for Meteorology, Aqil Al Aqil, noted that this year’s Ramazan will coincide with the onset of spring, bringing cooler temperatures to the Saudi kingdom.