Asking for too much? To the moon and back

In absence of legal cover, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee continues to draw naysayers

PESHAWAR:

Among the many things characteristic of religious festivals in Pakistan, arguably the most troublesome yet almost absurd, is the tug of war over moon-sighting. The 18th Amendment was supposed to bring an end to this inevitable turf war, but has not.  The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has not drafted any legislation on the matter as yet.

And because no law exists in this regard, both Eids become a divisive issue. In the backdrop of this divided festivity, people from tribal areas and Afghan refugees prefer the Saudi Arabian calendar while the residents of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa follow the lead of Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai of the Masjid Qasim Ali Khan.

The rest of the country sticks to the government sanctioned Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, whose notifications are both contested and questioned.

Popalzai sticks firmly to his own line of belief. He says he never tried to create divisions amongst the Muslims of Pakistan and that his forefathers have been organising moon-sighting meetings since 1825. “My colleagues and I believe the official moon-sighting committee has no religious or constitutional value.”

He also believes the committee functions under a resolution tabled in Parliament back in the 70s and no subsequent government took up the task of legislating in this regard. He maintains the governments did not even bother about giving the province representation in the committee. “Two clerics from K-P were later added who are practically powerless.”

Popalzai disagrees with the notion that he showed rigidity when it came to resolving the issue. “A standing committee was formed in the Senate for this. We tabled our suggestions but nothing happened.”



He says he is willing to lend a hand only if moon-sighting evidence from K-P and tribal areas is taken seriously.

Popalzai says the committee chief does not hold the authority of a Qazi. Therefore, his jurisdiction is unclear. “No one appointed us. It is the trust of the people that forces us to convene meetings every year.”

Read: Parts of K-P celebrate Eid today

Answering a question, he says his opponents tried tooth and nail to tarnish his council’s reputation. “Pemra has even banned our coverage but it cannot stop our message from spreading.”

Talking to The Express Tribune, Minister for Religious Affairs Habibur Rehman says he will celebrate Eidul Azha on Friday and does not agree with Popalzai.

“The Centre has appointed a Qazi as the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chair, who has the right to veto any suggestion or testimony.” Rehman adds during the Bhutto-era, the government once arrested someone from the Popalzai clan over the moon-sighting announcement but that did not turn out to be good. “We cannot act since the committee does not have legal cover.”

The minister says K-P has time and again reminded the Centre to legislate and bring the issue to an end for good.

“We are told the 18th Amendment empowers us to legislate for our own province. We are planning to chalk out a resolution but this is a sticky situation. It will take time.” He feels if the aforementioned standing committee is brought back to life, a solution can be reached.

Eagle eye: Popalzai says Eid today

As the tradition goes, Masjid Qasim Ali Khan’s Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai announced Eidul Azha will be celebrated on Thursday (today). “Eid is on Thursday legally,” he said.

Popalzai added, “The official committee has not accepted our testimonies hence there will be two Eids.”

On the other hand, prominent clerics Mufti Matiur Rehman, Maulana Hafiz Dr Muhammad Idrees, Maulana Sadiqur Rehman, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Maulana Muhammad Amin and Mufti Ghafoorur Rehman issued a joint statement after a meeting.

“Edicts from Darul Uloom Deoband, Darul Uloom Haqqania and Darul Uloom Akora Khattak say the government alone is responsible for deciding upon the Eid day.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2015.