Dr Anjum Sarfraz
Religious scholars agree that in a country for unity there should be one date for the start of Ramadan, and holding of religious festivals. However, controversies have occurred for the start of Ramadan and holding of Eid ul Fitar & Eid ul Azha. In order to resolve these conflicts, on 23 January 1974, the National Assembly passed a resolution for the creation of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (CRHC) as well as zonal/provincial committees andat ICT.It was to have nine members, and bound to consult the zonal/provincial committees before making any decision.
Present CRHChas 19 members, 16 religious scholars of all sects from all over Pakistan and 3 technical experts i.e representatives of SUPARC, DG Metrological department and JS from ministry of Science and Technology who has been included in April 2020. The advisors include representatives of Hydrographic department of Navy and Astronomical department from Karachi. The CRHC, zonal and provincial committees hold meetings to determine the appearance of the moon of Muharram, Ramadan, Shawwal and Zul hajj in the evening of the 29th, and is bound to pass the information about the sighting or otherwise of the moon to the Chairman of the CRHC who is only authorized to make final announcement. Members of CRCH including Chairman, are entitled to receive TA/DA, boarding lodging equal to a Joint Secretary of the Federal Government (BPS-20).
The Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony is authorized to nominate or remove the members of the CRHC as and when required. However, there is no laid down qualification, experience, age limit for the Chairman and members. After 18th amendment the subject stands devolved to provinces. However, for unity a single law is required. The controversies of sighting the moon have not been resolved entirely. Because a section of Islamic scholars believes that seeing the moon with eyes should be the criterion for declaring startof a new month especially Ramadan. They quote the authentic Hadith of Holy Prophet (PBUH), once moon of Shawwal was not sighted due to clouds dust and low visibility, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, complete 30 days of fasting. Another section advocates that with the advancement in astronomy, meteorology, science & technology we can now rely solely on the calculations, and there is no need to visually see the moon.
They refer Ayat no 187 of Surah Al Baqara (2:187) which gives timings of closing and opening of fast. It says, “and eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread at dawn – then complete the fast till nightfall.” Muslims almost all over the world follow the timings of fasting and Iftar which are calculated before the start of Ramadan by astronomers and are published in the newspapers and telecast on TV. Faithful generallydo not physically observedawn and dusk. Similarly, prayers timings are also calculated, published and followed. It is pertinent to mentionthat prior to invention of Radar, in 1935 and GPS in 2002, Sea farers used to navigate their vessels based on astronomicalcalculations, like altitude of stars at the time of sun set and sun rise measured by sextant and during day time by altitude of the sun. It is being practiced since 1875.
The compasses of the sea going vessels for accuracy are even now beingchecked at the time of sun set and sun rise after calculating bearings of sun.
The astronomy has very much advanced and gives accurate results. Similarly, metrology has also progressed tremendously. Therefore, there is dire need that religious scholars, astronomers, metrologist, technical experts, and scientists especially from SUPARCO, may sit together and sort out the issue of moon sighting.It is considered essential to reform CRHC to include more experts of aforesaid fields. Suggestionsare: 1) In addition to religious scholars of all school of thoughts from all over Pakistan, AJK and Gilgit Balistan, astronomers, meteorologists, technical expert from ministry of science and technology, representative from Hydrographic department of Navy and SUPARCO may also be included in the CRHC as members making their strength at least half of the total.2) Qualification and experience of each type of members may be stipulated and maximum age of religious scholars / technical experts maybe 65 years and government servants as per rules in vogue.A committee nominated by Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony may interview. It is pertinent to mention that the age of present Chairman is 75 and he is holding this post for the last about 12 years. 3) The tenure of each member including chairman may be three years.4)Chairman may be rotated amongst the provinces.5)A Law may be made to punish anyone who gives false statement of sighting the moon. 6) Committees at the district levels may be established and deputy commissioner may be made as member. 7) Moon sighting committees / posts may also be established at Gilgit Balistan and AJK. It is envisioned that moon sighting issue will be resolved to a great extent.
*Dr Anjum Sarfraz is former Director National Center for Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR)and Senior Research Fellow at Strategic Vision Institute Islamabad
