Minister of Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Sunday invited the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to sight Ramzan moon together so that the nation could observe Ramzan and Eid on the same day this year.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the possibility of first Ramazan is on June 19 (Friday) as there is no possibility of sighting the moon on June 17.
After introducing uniform prayer timings in Islamabad, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has initiated efforts to make citizens observe the start of the holy month on the same day and accept the findings of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
In this regard, the minister contacted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Religious Affairs Haji Habibur Rahman and other local religious scholars. Yousuf asked Rehman for joint efforts to address the perennial issue of moon sightings, and was assured the latter’s support. Yousaf said that the provincial governments should come forward to show the world their unity by starting the month on the same day.
Yousuf, according to a senior official of the ministry, requested all stakeholders to consider the request and cooperate for the commencement of the holy month across the country on the same date.
The minister discussed the latest equipment available with the committee for moon sighting, added the official. Requesting the stakeholders to follow the committee’s decision, he also offered the KP government’s assistance in provision of latest scientific equipment for moon sighting along with the committee.
Yousuf said the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee had sub-committees and representatives across the country and were assisted by the Metrological Department, thus enhancing the accuracy of their decision.
Meanwhile, sources in the Ministry of Religious Affairs said that the government was considering a number of options for the implementation of uniform prayer timings introduced on May 1 following the visit of Imam-e-Kaaba Sheikh Khalid al Ghamdi, in the federal capital.
The decision was taken without keeping in mind various possible complications and it backfired. Subsequently, it was rejected by a majority of mosque committees.
Sources said the 10-member Salat Committee comprising ulema from different school of thoughts held a meeting, and according to their proposal, the government should promulgate an ordinance for implementation of uniform prayer timings. The plan would be discussed in the next meeting for which the date is yet to be fixed.