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The moon and the maulvi

Xestan

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The moon and the maulvi

By Amina Jilani
Published: July 29, 2011


The holy month is fast approaching and will no doubt approach in its usual fashion — in stages. That an Islamic Republic is so strife-ridden that it is unable to agree in unity on something as simple as the moon says much for the brand of religion it declares it practices (and the manner in which it does so mirrors its general dysfunction).

Now, there is an old story, possibly apocryphal, but nevertheless a good story worthy of emulation. In what really were the good old days (far be it for this column to recommend another military rule) when General then Field Marshal Ayub Khan, tall and handsome with a twinkle in his eye, who kept things together and in order from 1958 until led astray by his politicians in 1965, the mullah/maulvi faction was to an extent controllable.

From the outset of Pakistan’s coming into being, science has not been a strong point for the learned men of the Book who supposedly guide the national morality scenario, and each Ramazan eve they were and still are unable to reach an agreement on the planet moon and its appearance and placing in the night sky. Scientific methods, for them, are for the birds, albeit Islam’s contributions to science frequently crop up and are lauded.

One year, early in his regime, Ayub Khan decided enough was enough. There was to be no double or even triple outbreaks of Ramazan and thus clashing Eids. The official moon-spotters would decide in unison. So his orders were that in each area of the country the holy experts would be guided by his military commanders and would be bulldozed into ‘sighting’ the errant moon on one single evening, so that for the first time in its life the nation would fast (or feast) and then celebrate Eid in one fell swoop.

On the night in question when science decreed that the crescent be visible in the sky, the divines in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar were fine. Their eyesight was perfectly channeled and tuned. But up in Quetta, Maulvi Ehtisham declared that he had not seen the moon and therefore in his province there would be no fasting the next day. Ayub was informed by his division commander and, furious, told the general to do what he had to do so that the moon was sighted.

Maulvi and general swiftly got together on high-ground, the general turned the maulvi’s head heavenwards and asked him: “Maulvi Sahib, do you see the moon?”. Firmly the man replied: “No.”The general took him gently by the shoulders and swung him around 180 degrees, told him to peer downwards and softly asked, “Do you see West Camp?”. A subdued maulvi muttered, “Yes.”

Pointing upwards the general asked again, “Now do you see the moon?”. A nervy maulvi replied, “Yes, yes.” The entire exercise was repeated at the close of the holy month and all went swingingly. So if scientific methods are ignored, there are other ‘ways and means’.

Ayub pre-1965 was not all that bad. A dangerous factor that is strangling the country has been written about lately — the lack of population control in this land of now over 180 million. Ayub’s was the sole regime which had family planning near the top of its agenda. West Pakistan’s population grew from 31 million in 1947 to 39 million in 1950 and 48 million in 1960 (East Pakistan was then 51 million). The government had a definite programme which spilled over to what was then ‘civil society’ (and a good deal more civil than it now is). Sadly, it was overtaken by events but while it lasted it was a popular movement with even many of the begum sorority rushing around trying to and succeeding in having assorted and various tubes tied.

Successive governments and the nation at large have been and are least bothered about a growth rate now out of hand.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2011.

The moon and the maulvi – The Express Tribune
 
Please MUST WATCH this GREAT video regarding Moon sighting and see how we
are going on the deep wrong way and ACTING according to NATIONALISM against
Quran and Sunnah.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
xestan , nice post bro , the good thing about it is that it was well timed :) keep it up
 
Peshawar mosque says Ramazan from August 1, KP government yet to announce – The Express Tribune-mosque-says-ramazan-from-august-1-kp-government-yet-to-announce/

PESHAWAR: Qasim Ali Khan mosque in Peshawar announced late on Sunday, to observe Ramadan on Monday, August 1.

According to the mosque clerics, including Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai, evidence of the moon sightings were received from Peshawar and surrounding areas, from six people including a woman, on the basis of which the clerics announced to observe the first fast on Monday in Peshawar.

Residents of Tehsil Mirali of North Waziristan, Barakambarkhel, Tehsil Mamoond of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will also observe Ramazan today.

Meanwhile the KP government has not made any announcement yet.

KP Minister on Religious Affairs has said that the administration of Qasim Ali Khan mosque has violated the promise as they had earlier agreed to convene a session on Monday.

Earlier, an emergency session was summoned in Peshawar for the moon-sighting at Qasim Ali Khan mosque after receiving reports of moon sightings.

In the past, the ulema of Qasim Khan Mosque in Peshawar have refused to accept the authority of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee (CRHC).

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on Monday for the moon-sighting. Pakistan is likely to observe the holy month of Ramazan from Tuesday.
 
Some Cohen told Ayub that its a negative omen for him (as Eid on Friday is considered a heavy day), so declare Eid one day before the production of Crescent...

and yes as usual he got what he wanted from paid Ullemah, Eid one day before the actual...:tdown:




P.S. Yeah Nawaz Ganja also declared Eid one day before (same case)..
 
some Cohen told Ayub that its a negative omen for him, so declare Eid one day before the production of Crescent...

and yes as usual he got what he wanted from paid Ullemah, Eid one day before the actual...:tdown:

Whatever the reason was at least he saved us from the humiliation and mockery that we faced every year at eid and ramzan.

I hope someone can do it again even for whatever reason.
 
Whatever the reason was at least he saved us from the humiliation and mockery that we faced every year at eid and ramzan.

I hope someone can do it again even for whatever reason.

yeah, that year one house was celebrating Eid, while the neighbourer was on fast... moreover, police was asked to force the Imam Masjids to conduct Eid prayers :laugh:
 
yeah, that year one house was celebrating Eid, while the neighbourer was on fast... moreover, police was asked to force the Imam Masjids to conduct Eid prayers :laugh:

Something which happens even now. At least the govt tried to do something. It was much better than what Maulvis at Masjid Qasim Khan do.
 
KP simply follows Saudi Arabia, like everyone else in Arabia does.

Now either everyone should follow Saudi Arabia or everyone should follow wherever they see the moon.

Personally I prefer the follow Saudi Arabia method, if everyone did that, that would mean same day Eid for everyone...
 
The moon and the maulvi

By Amina Jilani
Published: July 29, 2011


The holy month is fast approaching and will no doubt approach in its usual fashion — in stages. That an Islamic Republic is so strife-ridden that it is unable to agree in unity on something as simple as the moon says much for the brand of religion it declares it practices (and the manner in which it does so mirrors its general dysfunction).

Now, there is an old story, possibly apocryphal, but nevertheless a good story worthy of emulation. In what really were the good old days (far be it for this column to recommend another military rule) when General then Field Marshal Ayub Khan, tall and handsome with a twinkle in his eye, who kept things together and in order from 1958 until led astray by his politicians in 1965, the mullah/maulvi faction was to an extent controllable.

From the outset of Pakistan’s coming into being, science has not been a strong point for the learned men of the Book who supposedly guide the national morality scenario, and each Ramazan eve they were and still are unable to reach an agreement on the planet moon and its appearance and placing in the night sky. Scientific methods, for them, are for the birds, albeit Islam’s contributions to science frequently crop up and are lauded.

One year, early in his regime, Ayub Khan decided enough was enough. There was to be no double or even triple outbreaks of Ramazan and thus clashing Eids. The official moon-spotters would decide in unison. So his orders were that in each area of the country the holy experts would be guided by his military commanders and would be bulldozed into ‘sighting’ the errant moon on one single evening, so that for the first time in its life the nation would fast (or feast) and then celebrate Eid in one fell swoop.

On the night in question when science decreed that the crescent be visible in the sky, the divines in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar were fine. Their eyesight was perfectly channeled and tuned. But up in Quetta, Maulvi Ehtisham declared that he had not seen the moon and therefore in his province there would be no fasting the next day. Ayub was informed by his division commander and, furious, told the general to do what he had to do so that the moon was sighted.

Maulvi and general swiftly got together on high-ground, the general turned the maulvi’s head heavenwards and asked him: “Maulvi Sahib, do you see the moon?”. Firmly the man replied: “No.”The general took him gently by the shoulders and swung him around 180 degrees, told him to peer downwards and softly asked, “Do you see West Camp?”. A subdued maulvi muttered, “Yes.”

Pointing upwards the general asked again, “Now do you see the moon?”. A nervy maulvi replied, “Yes, yes.” The entire exercise was repeated at the close of the holy month and all went swingingly. So if scientific methods are ignored, there are other ‘ways and means’.

Ayub pre-1965 was not all that bad. A dangerous factor that is strangling the country has been written about lately — the lack of population control in this land of now over 180 million. Ayub’s was the sole regime which had family planning near the top of its agenda. West Pakistan’s population grew from 31 million in 1947 to 39 million in 1950 and 48 million in 1960 (East Pakistan was then 51 million). The government had a definite programme which spilled over to what was then ‘civil society’ (and a good deal more civil than it now is). Sadly, it was overtaken by events but while it lasted it was a popular movement with even many of the begum sorority rushing around trying to and succeeding in having assorted and various tubes tied.

Successive governments and the nation at large have been and are least bothered about a growth rate now out of hand.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2011.

The moon and the maulvi – The Express Tribune

First your last comment about population growth its and entirely different topic so keep that aside and last thing Masjid Qasim issue is basically First a pathan issue than a sectarian issue because the head of The committee is from another sect that is why they are creating this problem but if governments wants it can slove the problem
 
Something which happens even now. At least the govt tried to do something. It was much better than what Maulvis at Masjid Qasim Khan do.

o mere bhai, the reason of declaring Eid one day before was to avoid the bad omen, not that they wanted to have one Eid in the country...
 
First your last comment about population growth its and entirely different topic so keep that aside and last thing Masjid Qasim issue is basically First a pathan issue than a sectarian issue because the head of The committee is from another sect that is why they are creating this problem but if governments wants it can slove the problem

which sect does he belong ?
 
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