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 the content of the source.
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