PESHAWAR, Dec 30: Like Eidul Fitr, the Eidul Azha celebrations in the NWFP remained mired in controversy after local ulema failed to agree on a single day to observe the festive occasion. The disagreement led to observance of Eidul Azha on three different days – Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Afghan refugees living in and around the provincial capital celebrated Eidul Azha on Saturday. The refugees living in Kacha Garhi, Kababian, Azakhel and Jalozai refugee camps also celebrated Eidul Azha on Saturday.

The refugees living in urban neighbourhoods said Eid prayers on Saturday. These areas included Hayatabad Township, Danishabad, Afghan colony, Arbab Road, Jehangirabad, Taj Abad, Shaheen Town and Warsak Road.

Tribesmen in Mamond and Salarzai areas along the Afghan border in the Bajaur Agency celebrated Eid on Saturday. They offered prayers and slaughtered animals.

In most parts of the NWFP, Eidul Azha would be celebrated on Sunday after prayer leaders of the three major mosques -- Qasim Ali Khan, Mahabat Khan and Al-Zarooni -- announced during Friday prayers that Eidul Azha would be celebrated on Sunday.

However, in some areas of the province, Eid will be celebrated on Monday in accordance with the decision of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee.

In a related development, a top leader of the Jamait-i-Ulema Islam (JUI-F), Maulana Abdul Ghani, on Saturday announced celebration of Eidul Azha in the border town of Chaman and Qila Abdullah district on Sunday, Our Staff Reporter adds.

He said the people of Qila Abdullah district had celebrated Eidul Fitr on Oct 24 last and, according to it, now they had to celebrate Eidul Azha on Sunday.

After the announcement of Maulana Abdul Ghani, residents of Qila Abdullah doing business in Quetta rushed to Chaman and other areas of the district to celebrate Eid on Sunday.

Reports coming here from Chaman say the local administration is also making arrangements for Eid prayers in the entire district.