Most districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) including Peshawar are celebrating Eidul Fitr today (Monday) after the provincial government announced its intention to celebrate the holiday on April 2.
However, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced that the Shawwal moon was not sighted in Pakistan on Sunday night and Eid would be celebrated in the country on April 3.
The announcement came minutes after a local Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, led by Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai in Peshawar, announced that the Shawwal moon was sighted and Eidul Fitr would be celebrated today as “more than 17 testimonies” had been received.
The largest Eid prayer in the province was held at Peshawar’s Eid Gah ground, the first in two years without Covid-19 SOPs in place.
The province’s Chief Cleric Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Qureshi led the prayers which were also attended by Provincial Minister for Higher Education Kamran Bangash. Awami National Party’s (ANP) Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and Senator Hidayatullah among others. After the Eid prayers, special prayers were offered for the security of the nation and the peace and success of the Muslim Ummah.
K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, other provincial ministers, the chief secretary and other government officials offered Eid prayers at the Governor House.
Later, the CM Mehmood interacted with the worshipers and wished them on the occasion. Talking to the media, Minister Bangash said more than 100 testimonies were received from different parts of the province but they were not acknowledged.
"We tried to create solidarity and consensus, but unfortunately our testimonies were not accepted. Eid has also been sacrificed for politics, which should not have happened," he said.
ANP’s central leader Haji Bilour said if Eid was celebrated with Saudi Arabia then there would be no conflict and division. “If the centre of Muslims is Haramain Shareef, then why is Eid is not with them?” he asked.
Kids purchase ice cream from a road side seller in Peshawar. Children enjoy a merry-go-round ride on the eve of Eid. PHOTOS: PPI/APP
Senator Hidayatullah said that they are grateful to the zonal committee and the provincial government for announcing the celebration of Eidul Fitr on May 2.
“The Central Route Hilal Committee should continue its meeting till late and acknowledge the evidence of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he advised.
“The Center should acknowledge the evidence of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as not doing so would create a very negative impression,” Cleric Qureshi said.
Lower Dir celebrated Eid amid strict security measures. Eid congregations were held in mosques of Talash, Kalpani, Dheri and Ziarat. Strict security arrangements were made for security of faithful visiting mosques to offer Eid prayer. Police personnel were also being deputed on egress and ingress points of the district as part of enhancing security measures.
Eid congregations were also held in Charsadda, Takhtbhai, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Karak and certain areas of provincial metropolis following announcement of private moon sighting committees.
The government had also taken necessary security measures to maintain peace on Eid while district administration has warned strict action against aerial firing.
Cops celebrate with martyrs’ children
District Police Officer (DPO) Kohat,, Muhammad Suleiman celebrated Eid with the children of the martyred police personnel. He praised the sacrifices of police force in line of duty, saying that their services for the motherland would not go vain and always be remembered.
Meanwhile, following directives of DPO Kohat, senior officials and Station House Officers of District Police Circle visited houses of the police martyred. They spent time with their children presented them gifts.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2022.
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