PESHAWAR: Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad has called for ending the controversy pertaining to sighting of moon once for all.

“We will take a decision on the basis of proper evidence to be checked under Shariah laws,” he said and added that all available sources, including modern technology, would be used for moon sighting.

Speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday, Maulana Azad, who is also the Khateeb of Lahore’s Badshahi Mosque, said his Peshawar visit was part of a plan to hold meetings with religious scholars of different schools of thought for creating religious harmony.

Accompanied by some religious scholars, including Qari Rohullah Madni, he also talked about his meeting with Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai, the Khateeb and head of his private moon sighting committee at the historic Qasim Ali Khan Mosque Peshawar, but did not disclose the details.

He said the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee was a responsible body which would fulfill its responsibilities with cooperation of religious scholars.

Maulana Azad also talked about the significance of relevant departments, including ministry of science and technology, PakistanSpace and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission and ministry of religious affairs, in addressing the moon sighting controversy.

“We will not allow any conspiracy to succeed. Those elements who want to create chaos and sectarianism in the country at the behest of enemies will fail,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2021