No contradictions between Islam and science: Fawad Chaudhry

Federal minister wants to assist the moon-sighting body

ISLAMABAD:

Science-Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday said there are no contradictions between Islam and science, stressing that the ministry wants to achieve consensus on moon sighting with the help of scientific knowledge.

In the past, Fawad led science and technology ministry and the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee have been at odds over the sighting of the moon where the former has been applying scientific methods while the latter counting on “Shahdats”.

“We are not interested in leading the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee but assisting the body so that consensus is achieved on moon sighting with the help of science,” he said while briefing the newly appointed Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir.

The government last year had replaced its long time serving Mufti Muneebur Rehman from the committee’s chairmanship. In an interesting development, it had also appointed scientific experts in the committee.

The minister briefed the chairman on moon sighting on the aspects of science and assured him of the ministry’s full support in this regard.

Fawad was of the view that in this modern age, every problem has been solved with the help of scientific knowledge. Moreover, he said nations with such an approach have been setting the stage for development.

“Islam and science are not contradictory but, the importance of knowledge in Islam distinguishes it from other religions,” the sci-tech minister said. He informed the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chief that observatories are being established in Islamabad for moon sighting, for which points of installation have also been identified. He added that approval from the Capital Development Authority has also been taken.

Maulana Abdul Khabir said that the committee would use the scientific knowledge within the limits of Sharia. He expressed his intention of bringing the committee’s members to visit the science-technology ministry.