PESHAWAR: Eidul Fitr was celebrated in most parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday.

The provincial government had declared Tuesday the first day of the post-Ramazan religious festival following the announcement of the sighting of Shawwal moon by a private Ruet Hilal committee based in Peshawar’s historic Masjid Qasim Ali Khan.

The provincial government’s sudden move confused the people, who couldn’t celebrate Eid for fasting for 28 days of Ramazan following the Central Ruet Hilal Committee’s announcement.

The information minister said on Tuesday that the people, who had began fasting in line with the announcement of the central moon-sighting body and celebrated Eid on Tuesday, should keep the remaining fast after Eid days.

In an audio message released on Monday night, he had declared that as 112 people witnessed Shawwal moon in the province and informed the Masjid Qasim Ali Khan about it, while the provincial government also received such reports from rest of the province and therefore, the marking of Eid on Tuesday was announced.

Chief Minister Mahmood Khan offered Eid prayer at the Governor’s House, while Governor Shah Farman, who is spending vacation at the Governor’s House in Nathiagali, will offer Eid prayer on Tuesday following the announcement of the Central Ruet Hilal Committee.

In a public message, the chief minister urged people to include the under-privileged section of society in their joys of Eid, according to a statement issued here.

The weather remained pleasant in the day to the relief to the people, who braved harsh summer weather during the last days of Ramazan.

Eid was completely celebrated in Peshawar division, Mardan division, Bannu division and six of the seven merged tribal districts, while it was partially marked in Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan divisions.

In Peshawar, the main Eid congregation was held in Eidgah, historic Masjid Mahabat Khan, Masjid Qasim Ali Khan and Baghi Naran Hayatabad.

Our Correspondent from Abbottabad adds: The residents, including religious scholars, rejected the provincial government’s decision to mark Eid on Tuesday and said they would follow the decision of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee on the sighting of Shawwal moon.

They said the announcement of the Eid marking on Tuesday had divided the people.

Our correspondent from Mansehra adds: The residents fasted on Tuesday saying they will celebrate as decided by the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee.

They criticised the provincial government for announcing Eid day on Tuesday.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2019