Pakistan’s Ruat-e-Hilal Committee was formed back in 1974 – under a resolution passed by the National assembly. No rules or regulations have been set in place for this committee as of yet. However, we know that its members are responsible for new moon sightings in Pakistan. Peshawar marks the beginning of Ramadan and Shawal a day earlier than the rest of Pakistan because of this committee. Recently its chairman Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman was replaced by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad. And people seem pissed!
Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman was appointed by the government as the chairman of Ruat-e-Hilal in 2000. The 75-year-old went through a lot of thick and thins in 20 years. Previously, the Mufti did not allow witnesses from other Muslim sects to be involved in the moon sightings.
As a result, Peshawar’s Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai sat down with his own separate committee. And Peshawar celebrated Islamic days on separate dates. Not only this, but he also had an on-going feud with the Federal Minister for Science and Technology. Fawad Chaudhry has often called the Grand Mufti ‘outdated’.
Despite all the controversial debates, the committee continues to exist. But if you’re upset with Mufti Muneeb getting replaced, you’re not alone!
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad is the Khateeb of Lahore’s famous Badshahi Mosque. He is now the chairman, after a reshuffle of the 19-member committee.
Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman and his followers
Netizens showed mixed reaction to this news. Most of the Tweets, however, are in favor of Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman. His followers believe this step by the government will prove to be a grave mistake.
Let’s take a look at what some people have said:
https://twitter.com/MehfoozCh4/status/1344469079399178241
https://twitter.com/AliRizvi78/status/1344369782062252033
Shameful act committed by Pakistan Government, Mufti Muneeb Ur Rehman is a person to whom chairmanship suits,A.Khabeer Azad don’t even know about shariah because shariah never allows to be friends and allies of those who are against Islam and Prophet Muhammadصلّی اللّٰہ علیہ وسلم pic.twitter.com/Palkh7WMsl
— Muhmd BilalQadri (@BilalqadriMuhmd) January 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/MianH192/status/1344327417876389899
Mufti Muneeb is a competent person for the post
— Advocate Sameena (@AdvocateSameena) January 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/MianH192/status/1344326965529030659
https://twitter.com/AmmarHussainMi1/status/1344850908111372289
https://twitter.com/92__XQ/status/1344326801766625283
It seems like English teacher is going to teach Urdu 🤦♀️
What the hell is going in our country 😑 #muftimuneeb pic.twitter.com/xJ4u42pSzN— T O O B A 🦋 (@LazyEngr9) January 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/TLPzia/status/1344325026795966464
This Twitter user took to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Tweet to express his concerns:
Mr Imran Khan Sahab basically we live in Karachi and you know Karachites are always ignored but I will raise my voice on the issue of Mufti Muneeb Ur Rehman Sahab.
Please do consider— Noman Abbasi (@NomanAb04732709) January 1, 2021
The Opponents
If you don’t agree with the Tweets above, there’s more! Some Twitteratis are praising the government’s decision to remove Mufti Muneeb from this position.
Here’s what they have to say:
A good decision removed Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman from Roit e Hellal office. Despite him, it was never possible to celebrate Eid on the same day in all over Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/6FFqQRa8cO
— Shafiq Afridi karwan (@ShafiqKarvan) January 1, 2021
Thank God we got rid of Mufti Muneeb from Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after over 20 years.
— Faizan Hayat 🇵🇰 (@FaizanHayat13) December 30, 2020
Finally a very good decision of PTI government for kicking out Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman from the post.👌👌 https://t.co/5gfKn6sqBP
— 𝔉𝔞𝔯𝔥𝔞𝔫 𝔐𝔞𝔩𝔦𝔨 (@D_FM___) December 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/syed_mtaqi/status/1344329219216605186
https://twitter.com/Parmakhtia/status/1344339378420772870
The unbothered
Meanwhile, there were also some people who were unbothered by this news. They believe the whole concept of the committee is wrong and that it should be dissolved.
Good thing Mufti Muneeb or this new chairman of Ruet-e-Halal Committee, aren't assigned the task to announce #NewYear , or there could be December 32 in Pakistan today.🌛
— Shaan (@Shanyousaf6) January 1, 2021
Finally @fawadchaudhry successfully kicked out #muftimuneeb from #RueteHilalCommittee which should actually be handled by scientists. No professional mullahs needed to do moon sighting.🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰
— Imtiaz (@ForumWriter) January 1, 2021
Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman Reponds
Do you know how Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman responded to his removal? The former chairman of the Ruat-e-Hilal Committee is launching a campaign against the government. Seems like he is going to focus on FATF-related law now. What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know in the comments section.
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