So does this mean we will actually let scientists do their job? WOAH. 

You know how in every family, there is that one person claims to be an expert on a subject which they actually know nothing about? That’s sort of the role the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has in Pakistan. They’re usually the topic of conversation when Eid is around the corner, but this year, they’re the center of attention in their offseason.

According to rumors, which have YET to be confirmed by the government, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee could possibly be disbanded

At least, that’s what a report in Pro Pakistani claims.

Source: Express Tribune

The committee which was set up in 1974, usually becomes the center of attention once a year when they have to sight the moon to confirm Eid. All eyes are on them as the aged Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman squints into a telescope to find the moon and announce when Eid will be celebrated. Lots of power for one man, and as Uncle Ben said, “with great power comes great responsibility.”

No one really knows what exactly they’re supposed to do since there are no written guidelines for their function, but the country just sort of blindly follows along.

The committee usually has beef with Mufti Popalzai in Peshawar, who has his private moon sighting committee and somehow sights the moon a day earlier than the Ruet-e-Hilal committee.

Source: Samaa.tv

Moon wars ~ 

The issue with both committees?

Those in charge are not scientists…the moon should ideally be sighted by the Meteorological Department and not by someone without proper scientific training in the matter.

A lot of people are happy to hear that the committee might be disbanded because honestly WHAT DO THEY EVEN DO?!

A few people are worried about those losing their jobs.

https://twitter.com/BilkulSahiKaha/status/1081964078539657216

https://twitter.com/AhmetTheSailor/status/1081960291708084224

But maybe we should also be appreciative of the fact that we’re finally entering the 21st century and turning towards science. Sure, it took a while, but better late than never?

And though this seems like a good move, there is still an issue; Popalzai. The Peshawar based cleric has his own private committee with a huge following. And since it is a private committee, the government has no control over it as it does over the Ruet-e-Hilal committee. So essentially, Popalzai can and probably will still announce sighting the moon a day earlier.

And that was what caused issues in the first place; Popalzai’s contradicting sighting of the moon meant a lot of people, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, celebrated Eid a day earlier than the rest of the country.

Which means the dual Eid phenomenon will probably go on…

https://twitter.com/elegantri/status/1081994061811204096

So maybe the celebrations are a little premature because not only is the news not confirmed yet but Popalzai wala masla  tou hoga he, boss. But then again going with the metaphor I began with, what is a big family event in Pakistan without a little drama and some naraz relatives?

What do you think of the government apparently deciding to disband the Ruet-e-Hilal committee? Let us know in the comments below!

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Cover Image Source: Geo.tv