KARACHI: The Shawwal moon was sighted in different parts of the country on Wednesday marking the end of the month of Ramazan and advent of Eidul Fitr.

Mufti Munibur Rehman, the Chairman of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee announced at a press conference that more than enough evidence of the sighting of Shawwal moon in the four provinces had been received and the committee had unanimously decided that Friday would be the 1st of Shawwal.

“The zonal committees in different parts of the country were in constant touch with the central committee in Karachi. Members of the committee in Muzaffargarh, Jhang, Sialkot, Jaccobabad, Sanghar, Mian Chunnu, Gilgit, Okara, Mandi Bahauddin, Zob and Islamabad sighted the moon,” he said.

Though Eid was celebrated in North Waziristan and some other parts of tribal areas on Thursday, a 25-member committee of ulema of tribal areas declared after four hours of deliberations that Eid would be celebrated in their areas on Friday along with the people across the country for the first time after years of difference over moon sighting between the central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee and a committee headed by Peshawar’s Qasim Ali Khan mosque led by Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai.

For this part, Mufti Muneebur Rehman recognised efforts of the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its clerics, who he said played key role to bring the controversy to an end. He also appreciated the role of federal minister for religious affairs to convince clerics from different schools thoughts on the consensus decision.

“I must also appreciate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister for religious affairs Habibur Rehman for his efforts that we have come to this consensus decision and the entire nation celebrates Eid unanimously,” said the chairman Ruet-i-Hilal Committee.

Some militant groups, openly challenging the government’s writ, also had a role in celebration of Eid on Thursday. Mangal Bagh, commander of the banned Lashkar-i-Islam outfit, had announced in Bara that Eid would be celebrated in Thursday.

Opinion

Editorial

Slow start
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Slow start

Despite high attendance, the NA managed to pass only a single money bill during this period.
Sindh lawlessness
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Sindh lawlessness

A recently released report describes the law and order situation in Karachi as “worryingly poor”.
Punjab budget
15 Jun, 2024

Punjab budget

PUNJAB’S budget for 2024-25 provides much fodder to those who believe that the increased provincial share from the...
Budget and politics
Updated 14 Jun, 2024

Budget and politics

PML-N, scared of taking bold steps lest it loses whatever little public support it has, has left its traditional support — traders — virtually untouched.
New talks?
14 Jun, 2024

New talks?

WILL this prove another false start, or may we expect a more sincere effort this time? Reference is made to the...
A non-starter
14 Jun, 2024

A non-starter

WHILE the UN Security Council had earlier this week adopted a US-backed resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza...