Govt announces four holidays for Eidul Fitr
Eidul Fitr holidays have been given from June 4 to June 7
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The federal government has announced four holidays from June 4 to June 7 in connection with Eidul Fitr.
A notification has been issued by the Ministry of Interior to all public and private departments pertaining to eid holidays.
Eidul Fitr holidays have been given from June 4 to June 7. The schools and offices will resume from June 10.
Eid-ul-Fitr likely to be celebrated on June 5
Eid Al Fitr in Pakistan will be celebrated on June 5, according to the country’s first moon sighting website and Hijri Calendar launched by Fawad Chaudhry, Minister of Science and Technology.
This is the first time that Eid day has been announced much before the moon sighting in Pakistan challenging the Islamic clerics who believe that Eid and other main religious events such as Ramadan and Islamic months should be announced only after physical moon sighting.
However, it is not yet clear whether the moon-sighting committee will still meet to decide the Eid day.
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The federal minister said that he has sent the five-year Hijri Calendar to the Islamic Ideology Council. He said that the calendar will be presented before cabinet on Wednesday.
“I personally believe that there is no need to have Ruet-t-Hilal (moon sighting) Committee in the country.”
Chaudhry said that a number of departments have collaborated to make the moonsighting website and Islamic Hijri calendar.
The minister has been criticised by some Islamic scholars since he challenged the working of the moon sighting committee and the role of Islamic clerics involved in the moon sighting exercise.
Earlier this month, Hussain formed a committee to determine the exact dates of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha and Muharram for the next five years with 100 percent accuracy through technology.
The debate
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 Ramadan and Eid Al 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 as Islamic scholar often disagree and clash over the official version.
The minister had also earlier questioned the wisdom in spending large sums of money on moon sighting every year, saying that the Ruet-e-Hilal (moon sighting) committee should carry out the sighting voluntarily.
His 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.
Eidul Fitr: A significant day
Ramadan is one of almighty Allah’s (swt) most precious gifts to Muslims and Muslims should make the effort to reap benefits from this blessed month. Fasting, reading the Holy Quran, giving to charity and attaining the blessings on the Night of Power; these are all gifts of almighty Allah (swt).
The conclusion of Ramazan brings about the festivities of Eidul Fitr. It is one of the two Eids in Islam that is celebrated by Muslims all around the world. The feast of Eidul Fitr marks the end of 30 days of fasting and prayer. On this day, Muslims from across the world gather for prayer celebration, for a three day celebration where families and friends get together and rejoice. It is a fun and significant occasion; one that people will remember until the next time Ramadan comes around.
Eidul Fitr Prayers
Eid-ul-Fitr is also known as the Feast of Fast-Breaking. After thirty days of fasting, prayer, reciting the Quran and carrying out other religious duties such as paying Zakat-ul-Fitr, Muslims worldwide celebrate their efforts on the day of Eid ul-Fitr. Special prayer services are held on this day in large congregation halls or in open fields.
In Muslim countries, there are enormous and majestic mosques that are created for days like this. In other parts of the world, particularly non-Muslim countries, Islamic organisations in charge of their areas rent out halls and green spaces to accommodate the prayers.
Muslims from all walks of life attend the prayers dressed in new clothes, wearing their favourite fragrance. Afterwards, when people gather at home with friends and family, they send gifts to each other such as sweets, cash and garments.
