November 26, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 1, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 25: People from a cross section of the society have expressed their concern over the controversy regarding sighting of Eid moon and called for evolving a new system to end it once and for all.

Interviews with people belonging to various fields of life, show that they are not happy with the ongoing controversy as they are still unsure as to what decision they should follow.

Abdul Ahad, a shop owner at Bank Road, called for using modern technology to resolve the issue. He said in this scientific age, the Muslims should take advantage of the technology and evolve a system so that there should be no controversy regarding sighting of moon.

He was of the view that all Muslims should celebrate Eid on one day as it would help create unity among the Muslim world. He said for this purpose, the government should convene a meeting of the Muslim scholars from all over the world to develop a consensus and find the solution to the problem.

Mohammad Daud, who supervises a library in a university, said a calendar system should be implemented in the country and the whole nation should follow it. He said when scientists could tell the exact time even in seconds of sun and moon eclipses then sighting of moon was not a big issue. “When we know that at what time Mars will come near the Earth again after hundreds of years and when Halley’s comet will be visible, then why this controversy?”, he questioned.

Gohar Rehman, a schoolteacher, criticized the Ulema for creating doubts in the minds of the people. He said when Muslims could not celebrate Eid on one day in one country then how could they talk about unity in the Muslim world. He expressed his surprise that when there was only difference of few hours in the timings of different countries, then how could the difference of days occur when it came to celebrate Eid.

Mr Khalid, a retired government employee, called for reconstituting Ruet-i-Hilal Committee which should also include scientists and weather experts.

Mr Tanveer, a photographer, on the other hand, called for abolishing the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee and reconstituting a special committee with scientists as its members without inclusion of Ulema.

Izhar Amrohvi, the parliamentary secretary of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy, opposed the idea of abolishing Ruet-i-Hilal Committee. He, however, said there should be such committees in each province and the federal government should not interfere in their decisions. He was of the view that Islam allowed fasting and Eid celebrations only after sighting of moon. He said if the federal government stopped interfering in provincial matters then this controversy could end.