Senate panel emphasises same-day Eid

The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Tuesday asked the religious affairs ministry to streamline the moon sighting process and ensure same day ‘Eid’ celebrations across the country.

The committee, which met here with Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri in the chair, was briefed about the working and performance of the ministry. During the meeting, the members emphasised that ‘Eid’ should be celebrated across the country on the same day.

While discussing the Hajj policy and the issues relating to private Hajj operators, the committee asserted that details of penalties and blacklisting of companies that failed to deliver must be submitted. It stressed the need for a comprehensive Hajj policy for the coming year.

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The committee directed the ministry to ensuring comfort of the Hujjaj during the holy journey. The committee was informed that the Road to Makkah Project that was initially started from Islamabad would be extended to provincial capitals as well.

Regarding visiting pilgrimage sites in Iran, the committee was informed that it had planned to introduce cruise services to Bandar Abbas and Najaf. Minority members of the committee stressed the need for formulating a policy for the minorities’ pilgrimage to their holy sites with ease.

The meeting was attended by senators Maulvi Faiz Muhammad, Gurdeep Singh, Anwar Lal Dean, Bahramand Tangi, Prof Sajid Mir, Muhammad Akram, Haji Hidayatullah besides Religious Affairs Minister Dr Noorul Haq Qadri and senior officers of the religious affairs ministry.