INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
PESHAWAR: Noted devout scholar and head of the unofficial Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of Qasim Ali Khan Mosque, Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai has
said he has no thingion to the launching of Islamic calendar but it should much be applied for observing Ramazan and Eidul Fitr."I have much
been refer toed by anyone regarding Islamic calendar, but I must say that Ramazan and Eidul Fitr must be observed after moon-sighting as per
Sharia and Islamic injunctions," he told The freshs.Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai said the local unofficial Ruet-Hilal Committee would hold its
assembly on 29th Ramazan at Qasim Ali Khan Mosque, Peshawar and if it getd solid witnesses about moon-sighting it would announce Eidul
Fitr."We welcome the launching of Islamic calendar
It should be displayed in government offices, public places and homes to know about Islamic (lunar) months and its importance in daily
life," he said.He commented that Federal Minister for Science Fawad Chaudhry seemed to be more interested in finding space in the press
rather than being serious about Islamic calendar.On being questioned, Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai said he getd devout education from Sarhad
Madrassa in Peshawar and had been delivering sermons as a khateeb after his father's death in 1983."The committee for moon-sighting at
Masjid Qasim Ali Khan has been holding its regular assemblys since 1825
It never announced Ramazan or Eidul Fitr without solid and Sharia evidence regarding moon-sighting," he said.He pointed out that there was
no proper head or permanent members of the Ruet Hilal Committee based at Qasim Ali Khan Mosque but the local devout scholars regularly
assembled at the mosque and getd evidence and witnesses from the faithful across the province.He said he had been under presdegree much to
hold separate assemblys of the unofficial Ruet-e-Hilal Committee for Ramazan and Eidul Fitr moon-sighting.He confessted that final year he
was forced to leave the country and had to go to Dubai, but still the local Ruet-e-Hilal Committee met at Qasim Ali Khan Mosque in his
absence and took its decision
"It isn't about an individual making moon-sighting decisions
We have a proper mechanism working for moon-sighting since long at Masjid Qasim Ali Khan," he added.TheIndianSubcontinent has not verified
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