The controversy of celebrating two Eids in the country is likely to prevail this year too, as Masjid Qasim Ali Khan, Peshawar has called a meeting for moon-sighting committee today (Saturday), and is expected to announce Eid-ul-Fitar on Sunday. A spokesman for the Masjid Qasim Khan told Business Recorder over the phone that celebration of Eid is linked to moon-sighting and the moment any witness is received Eid would be announced.
"Mufti Shahab-ud-Din Popalzai has convened the meeting of the moon sighting committee in Masjid Qasim Ali Khan today at 7:00 pm. It is a religious obligation and we cannot make it political once the moon is sighted and if you have credible witnesses, you should not wait for the government to announce it", he said.
He claimed that the majority of the people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa believe that Eid will be on Sunday given the relatively large size of the moon. However, he said that Masjid Qasim Ali Khan would only announce its decision if it receives credible and authentic evidence.
The Religious Affairs Ministry, in a statement issued here on Friday stated that the meeting of the central Ruet-e-Hilal committee for sighting the Shawal moon will be held on Sunday evening (June 25).
It also said that the meetings of all the zonal and district Ruet-e-Hilal committees will be held at their respective headquarters. "Any information about position of crescent may be conveyed at the following phone numbers. 0300 9285203, 0300 6329700, 03212022000, 0333 5453499, 091-2043428, 03005262611," it added.
A spokesman for provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said that officials were in touch with Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Yousaf so that the centre may establish contact with the Qasim Ali Khan Mosque in Peshawar. The aim is to ensure that the testimony of witnesses is accepted, he said, adding that all possible efforts would be made to ensure there is no controversy over Eid.
An official of Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that there is a good chance for the new moon of Shawwal, 1438 AH to appear on the evening of June 25, on 29th of Ramazan, 1438 AH. The new moon of Shawwal, 1438 AH will be born on crossing conjunction point at 07-31 PST on 24-06-2017 which would be visible on the evening on June 25 (Sunday), a statement of Met office said. According to climate record, the weather is expected to be fair/partly cloudy in most parts of the country, he added.
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