Impossible to have seen Eid moon on May 12 even with telescope: astronomer
Pakistan
Fri, May 14, 2021
KARACHI: It was impossible to sight the Shawwal moon on the night of May 12 even with a telescope, says Javed Iqbal, the head of Karachi University s space, science and technology institute.
Under astronomy, the moon was not likely to appear on May 12, he said, adding that the moon was not even likely to appear in Peshawar on May 12.
Astronomer Dr Shahid Qureshi, too, said the moon was not likely to appear on May 12.
Controversy around the sighting of the moon for Eid have been ongoing for the last two days in Pakistan since the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced the dates for Eid a day earlier than expected.
Prime Minister Imran Khan s Special Representative for Interfaith Harmony Maulana Tahir Ashrafi. Photo: File.
Prime Minister Imran Khan s Special Representative for Interfaith Harmony Maulana Tahir Ashrafi on Thursday said that the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) took the right decision regarding the announcement of Eid today.
Maulana Ashrafi stressed that it was not a wrong decision to celebrate Eid on Thursday as the announcement was made by the RHC in line with the Shariah, adding that believers are not required to observe a
qaza fast.
According to a report by
Geo.tv, Ashrafi s remarks came in response to former RHC Chairman Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman s statement in which he urged believers to observe a qaza fast in lieu of Ramadan 30.
Shawwal moon delay: Leaked video of Ruet-e-Hilal Committee member triggers controversy
By
Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman asks believers to observe a qaza fast in lieu of Friday.
Asks those who observed aitkaaf to perform a qaza for that too.
KARACHI: Following the late-night announcement made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee about sighting the Eid moon a move which left the nation surprised a controversial video that went viral on social media has made the matter even more complicated.
According to
Geo News, a leaked video started making rounds on social media in which Mufti Yaseen Zafar, a member of the Central RHC, could be seen talking on the phone with someone and saying that the committee announced eid in a bid to show unity.