Moon-sighting controversy: Three Eids in K-P and tribal areas
While the rest of Pakistan will celebrate Eidul Azha on Monday in line with the decision of the central moon-sighting committee, the festival is and will be celebrated in Khyber-Paktunkhwa (K-P) and adjacent tribal areas on three different days: Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
While Afghan refugees living in different parts of the province and people of some tribal agencies celebrated Eid on Saturday, most of the districts will follow the unofficial moon-sighting committee of Peshawar’s Masjid Qasim Ali Khan and celebrate Eid today (Sunday).
The rest of K-P – including Hazara Division, parts of Swat and Chitral and cantonment areas across the province – will, however, celebrate Eid with the rest of the country on Monday.
The Afghan refugees settled in Peshawar and its suburbs offered their Eid prayers on Saturday in line with the official announcement of their government in Afghanistan which follows Saudi Arabia.
Eid congregations were held at Peshawar’s Board Bazaar, Nasir Bagh, Afghan Colony, Hayatabad, Woch Nehr, Bakhshu Camp and Shamshato Camp – the areas where Afghan refugees live. The biggest congregation was held at Shamshato Camp in which thousands of Afghan refugees participated.
Similarly, Eid was also celebrated in upper Mohmand Agency, Khwazai, Baizai, and some parts of lower Mohmand Agency, including Pandyali and Ambar tehsils.
Tribesmen in some other agencies, including Bajaur, Kurram and Khyber, also celebrated Eid on Saturday.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai, the head of Peshawar’s unofficial moon-sighting committee, questioned the decision of the central committee to celebrate Eidul Azha two days after Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
“According to the sharia, Sunday is the correct day to celebrate Eid,” he claimed. Popalzia said sacrificial animals could be slaughtered within three days of Eid. “However, the ritual sacrifice cannot be offered on Wednesday,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2014.
COMMENTS (18)
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It has happened many times in the past: Eid in Pakistan two days after Eid in Saudi Arabia. Even in India this year, Eid occurred on Monday, the same day as in Pakistan. Popalzai is like those illiterate mullahs, who until recently didn't even know that sunset in Saudi Arabia takes place two hours after sunset in Pakistan.
These incidents show the ignorance and illiteracy of our people. Eid is supposed to be the day after Haj. Haj occurred on Friday; this implies that Eid should have been on Saturday. How can someone in Pakistan say that my Haj is on Sunday so my Eid should be on Monday? Haj happens in Mecca and only in Mecca. There is one day of Haj and that is a fact. Sighting of the moon in Pakistan should have nothing to do with Eid. Looks like the people of Pakistan want to remain in the dark ages in every which way.
People are landing and walking o the moon and these guys are searching for the Moon?
@Ch. Allah Daad: what has this to do with IK??? Plmn logic anything that goes wrong blame IK.
IK and kpk gov is celebrating eid tomorrow so dont blame them they cnt stop ppl from celebrating it!
Two days after Mecca, when even the sacrifice time is about to be over, is merely becoming laughing stock. We need to put an end to this madness.
@Ch. Allah Daad:
The sarcasm is strong with this one.
Pakistan looks to the stars, cannot manage to agree about seeing the Moon, follows Islamic sectarian differences and celebrates three Eids.
India looks to the stars, sees Mars, follows science and successfully sends a spacecraft to orbit Mars.
@Me: Pakistani and Afghan Self Righteous Ulema have to decide that weather they have to follow Astronomical Sciences to verify the sighting of the moon or have to be dependent on some witnesses or simply follow Saudi Arabia in celebrating Eid. Anyone familiar with a little bit of Astronomy or even with a general knowledge will agree that Moon can never be sighted at once throughout the world. So soon moon sighting on one day throughout the world is never possible. May be it will be a miracle then. Secondly Scientifically and Mathematically when Moon is sighted in Gulf and Half of Iran then most of the time only Gwadar and Coastal Areas of Pakistan have the visible moon. So kindly decide you have to follow Science with Hadees or simply the Norm of following Saudi Arabia?. People are talking about the Unity and even for the Simple moon sighting Our Nation cannot come to the common grounds.
another blessing of Afghan refugees
@Me: You mean it is not dependent on moon sight!
This eid is dependent upon Hajj and there is only 1 Hajj in the world......
So much for the Ummah!Can't even agree on such a trivial matter in so small a space!
India goes to Mars and Pakistanis can't get the moon right?
One can understand Eid celebration around the world within a period of 24 hours. How can one explain celebration of Eid on Sat, Sun and Monday? From the US to middle east the eid is celebrated on Saturday but Monday in parts of Pakistan? Can any expert scientist please explain this phenomenon? Or it is one of those cars running on water?
Didn't IK promise one Eid of he comes on power in KPK - well, just another lie amongst his huge list.
According to javed hashmi - who I believe over IK anytime of the day - IK was looking for blood to get political mileage in Isloo
KP under Imran's great leadership has achieved so much that it deserves more than three Eids. Terrorism, IDPs, Corruption, poverty, polio, lawlessness, kidnappings, target killings, electricity theft and smuggling are things of the past.