It is amazing discrepancies are occurring in an era where we have access to all kinds of accuracy-ensuring gadgets.
ISLAMABAD: The holy month of Ramazan is going to end in a few days. Now we will have to gear up for the same old issues and altercations over the sighting of the moon. The government has assigned certain capable people in a special committee to sight the moon and finalise when Eidul Fitr should be celebrated. However, not all will follow that verdict, as usual, as there is a group in our country which always prefers to schedule its Eid celebrations to match those of Saudi Arabia.
It is amazing that these discrepancies are occurring in an era where we have full access to all kinds of accuracy-ensuring gadgets. One wonders why the people who celebrate Eid on a completely different date don’t have access to such devices. The equipment used by the moon-sighting committee is provided by the Pakistan Meteorological Department which, so far, has the reputation of being a reliable entity.
Moreover, it is also surprising to note that these discrepancies in dates only occur over the dates for Eid celebrations. One wonders that if uniformity can be maintained for the rest of the 11 months, why is there such a parting of ways on a joyous occasion? Such differences will only divide our nation and cut at the root of unity.
Usman Anwar
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2014.
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