Lunar Calendar: Fawad Ch lauds efforts of Dunya Media Group

Dunya Media Group did great work by publishing lunar (qamri) calendar after a self-research

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhary on Monday, while appreciating Dunya Media Group for publishing lunar (qamri) calendar, said that Eidul Fitr will be celebrated on June 5 (Wednesday) according to the lunar calendar prepared by Ministry of Science. 

Talking exclusively in Dunya News programme  Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Saath , Fawad Ch said: "Dunya Television itself did a great work by conducting research and publishing own qamri (lunar) calendar. So there is massive support for this purpose."

"The experts of Ministry for Science and Technology have prepared the lunar calendar for the next five years," he said.

He said a good feedback is being received on lunar (qamari) colander on social media. 

Responding to a question, Chaudhary said how Eid can be celebrated on same day in the country if someone uses old telescopes to view moon. He said Islamic countries like Malaysia, Turkey and Brunei use calendar for important events.

Read More: Ministry of Science prepares lunar calendar for five years

Fawad Chaudhary said he has asked Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) about the recommendations and publishing of calendar in Ramazan. He contacted CII and informed them about the preparation of calendar.

Read More: Fawad Chaudhry invites Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Mufti Popalzai to see  how moon cycle works 

The minister went on to say that calendar would be submitted in cabinet after approval from IIC.

To view calendar published by Dunya Media Group click here

You can download the complete calendar here:https://bit.ly/2JsExif

On May 18, while the official talk of publishing the lunar (qamari)  calendar from the government hasn’t still seen light of the day, Dunya Media Group through its team effort had prepared and published the lunar calendar for the next ten years.

The calendar had been prepared keeping in view the scientific requirements to deal with the discord every year over the Ramadan and Shawal moon sighting. This calendar will help in solving these differences.

During the development of the calendar, Meteorological Department‘s formulas for the prayer timings were also considered. Also, the experts deem this method viable and in-line with the practice followed around the world.

Brave Step

The minister for science and sechnology took a brave step to set up a scientific committee for moon sighting.

The objective of the new initiative is to end the controversy over moon sighting and the confusion amongst people, especially on the occasions of announcing big events such as starting of Ramazan and Eidul Fitr. Moon-sighting committee normally meets every month to decide the beginning of the lunar Islamic month, but they come into limelight only on big occasions.

Pakistan and many other Islamic countries face problem over moon sighting issue. The new committee has been formed to predict key dates and months of the Islamic Calendar, with an aim to put an end to moon-sighting controversies in the country.

The controversy over Ramazan surfaced again this month as the official moon-sighting committee said the Ramazan in Pakistan began on May 7 while the controversial cleric Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai from Peshawar disagreed with the official announcement and said Ramazan in Pakistan started on May 6. As a result, a large number of Muslims who follow Mufti Popalzai fast on May 6 while the rest of people began fasting on May 7.

Religious scholar’s objection

Fawad Chaudhry s move to set up a scientific moon sighting committee created a lot of stir across the country as many considered his move as against the Islamic norms but others welcomed his initiative.

Islamic scholars who argue that the moon must be physically seen to decide the beginning of the fasting month, have already started criticizing the minister and the government.

Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman, the chief of the central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, asked the minister to refrain from commenting on “religious matters” and appealed to the premier to let “only concerned ministers speak on religious issues”. The cleric added: “Our moon-sighting announcements have never been wrong. Everyone bears witness when the moon is sighted.”

“‘The minister is unaware of the system and if he is interested, we can make a 100-year lunar calendar for him,” he added.

He advised the minister to not distort Pakistan s history and asked Prime Minister Imran Khan to instruct his ministers the same.