Ministry of science prepares lunar calendar

Ministry of science to contact CII for opinion

The experts of a scientific committee formed by the government to end the moon-sighting controversy on Tuesday announced that they have prepared a lunar calendar to end the moon-sighting controversy, Express News reported.

Fawad invites clerics to see 'how moon cycle works'

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry had frustrated several Islamic scholars by criticising their moon-sighting procedure. He also promised to prepare the lunar calendar before the start of Ramazan this year.

Fawad maintained, "It is not sane to spend 3.6-4 million for the sighting of the moon and instead guidance should be taken from his ministry. A 10-year calendar will end the disputes and extra expenses."

The ministry of science and technology prepared the calendar for five years which would be reviewed every five years.

“We have contacted the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) to get its opinion on the lunar calendar.  Suggestions from renowned clerics Mufti Muneebur Rehman and Shahabuddin Popalzai will also be taken on the matter,” said the ministry.

Fawad said, “Before issuing the lunar calendar, religious scholars will be consulted and taken into confidence. After taking opinion from the IIC, the calendar will be sent to the federal cabinet for approval.”

"We will try to release the lunar calendar during Ramazan," hoped the minister.

On Monday, Fawad also invited renowned clerics Mufti Muneebur Rehman and Shahabuddin Popalzai to see “how the moon cycle works”.

Mufti Muneeb asks PM to 'rein in' his ministers after Fawad’s diatribe

“We are inviting Maulana Muneebur Rehman and Shahabuddin Popalzai to come and witness how the moon cycle works,” wrote Fawad. “And see for themselves how easy science has made it easy to predict the lunar calendar. There is no need for an arduous task,” Fawad said on Twitter.