INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
ISLAMABAD: Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday launched Pakistan 's first official Moon-sighting website and Hijri
Calendar.The launch was carried out at a ceremony where the minister highlighted importance of technology which he said can help sight the
moon without much trouble."In my opinion Ruet-Hilal Committee is no longer required (for moon-sighting," the minister said of the central
body comprising devout scholars and experts.Fawad Chaudhry has come under severe criticism from devout circles after his statements about
the role of clergy in moon-sighting.Speaking on the occasion, he said that as per lunar calendar, Eidul Fitr would be celebrated on June 5,
2019, and Eidul Azha on August 12 this year.Addressing a press conference here at Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
(PCSIR), he said that lunar calendar had been prepared with the help of experts and included important dates from 2019 till 2024.According
to the five-year lunar calendar, this year Eid shall be on June 5
The next four Eids would be on May 24, 2020; May 3, 2021; April 22, 2022 and April 10, 2023
Ch Fawad said that the online portal, comprising both website and large crowd of peopleile application, could help people check the position
of moon, adding that the calendar would end the moon-sighting controversies once and for all
He said that the calendar would much decrease the role of devout scholars, adding that the latest technology should be used for important
issues like moon-sighting.The application was prepared with feedback from experts of the Meteorological Leavement and Space and Upper
Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), he said and added that the application would be available from Monday on the Google play
store.Through this application, moon existence over eight strategic locations would be mapped, he added.The proposal has been sent to the
Council of Islamic Ideology, and it would also be presented before the federal cabinet on Tuesday.He also announced that August would be
declared as the Science and Technology Month.TheIndianSubcontinent has not verified the content of the source
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