Fawad, Muneeb-ur-Rehman Engage in Verbal Spat Over Moon Sighting

Slight words’ war over moon sighting is continued between Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry and Ruet-e-Hilal committee chairman Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman. As Fawad on Monday (May 6) said that the Ruet-e-Hilal committee should carry out the sighting voluntarily.

In his latest criticism of the Ruet-e-Hilal committee, the minister said up to Rs4 million are spent on the moon-sighting procedure every year. “Where is the wisdom in spending Rs4 million on moon-sighting for Ramzan and Eid? At least the [Ruet-e-Hilal] committee should do it voluntarily. All around the world [the sighting] is done without remuneration,” Chaudhry said. “I respect the ulema. I have given an opinion. Everyone does not need to agree,” he added. “Educated scholars are supporting my suggestion,” Chaudhry said.

Earlier Chaudhry on Sunday (May 5) said a new committee of experts comprising science and technology experts from SUPARCO (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission) and MET Office has been established which would determine moon sighting for key dates and months in the Islamic calendar for the next 10 years.

Meanwhile, the central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chief Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman strongly disagreed with Chaudhry and said that the minister is ‘unaware of religious matters’. “Fawad Chaudhry is unaware of the system. He doesn’t even know that the committee meets at Suparco. I have previously appealed to the premier to let speak only concerned minister on religious issues. The science and technology minister doesn’t understand the sensitivity of the issue he shouldn’t have a licence to speak on it,” he said.