ISLAMABAD: Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz on Monday proposed the formation of a high-powered committee to see how the nation could observe Ramzan and celebrate Eid on the same day.
Dr Qibla Ayaz, a distinguished Islamic scholar, in a statement said that the nation has always been divided over the issue of moon sighting of Ramzan and two Eids.
The CII chairman backed the proposal of Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry about preparation of a lunar calendar, adding that the scholars, however, suggest that sighting the moon with naked eye is compulsory according to Islamic teachings.
The CII chief emphasised for considering the point raised by the federal minister to reach to a solution.
Dr Ayaz is known for promoting inter-faith and sectarian harmony. He was appointed the chairman of the CII in November 2017, which provides legal advice to the government on Islamic issues but its recommendations are not legally binding.
Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry in a tweet on Sunday said a scientific committee would prepare a calendar for 10 years that would not require sighting of moon physically. And after 10 years latest technology would be used to ascertain birth of moon more accurately, he added.
He said it will end uncertainty about moon-sighting, especially on Eids.
