Several districts celebrating Eid in NWFP

Eid-ul-Fitr being celebrated in several districts of NWFP today (Sunday) after announcement of Shawwal moon-sighting by a private Ruet-e-Hilal committee in Peshawar. According to reports Eid being celebrated in 11 of the 23 districts of the province. People observing fast in other 12 districts. Shawwal moon controversy brewing again with private Ruet-e-Hilal committees meeting in a Peshawar mosque on Saturday to decide sighting of the Eid crescent. The unofficial body of Ruet-e-Hilal committee Saturday held a meeting in Qasim Ali Khan mosque and later declared that the moon of Shawal been sighted and the people of NWFP would celebrate Eid on Sunday September 2O. Addressing a crowded press conference in Peshawar, Mufti Shuhabuddin Populzai declared that the decision has been made on the grounds of more than 200 convincing testimonies reviewed by the nongovernmental body. The meeting was also attended by Senior NWFP Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour. Speaking to the newsmen, Bilour said the committee had received solid evidences regarding sighting of the moon, adding the provincial government fully supported the unofficial body in this decision. Disputing the decision, chairman of the central Ruet-e-Hilal committee Mufti Muneebur Rehman said ANP minister were interfering in RHC affairs. On the other hand federal Religious Affairs Minister Hamid Kazmi termed the announcement of moon sighting by unofficial bodies as a bid to fuel conflicts and controversies. He said NWFP muftis had not taken the government into confidence. Reportedly, only one member of RHC, out of six, attended the meeting, while no prominent religious figure joined the controversial meeting. According to a private TV, the body received some 12 reports of moon sighting from Shabqadar, while on the other hand district RHC of Swat announced that the moon had not been sighted across the district. Separately, the Shawwal moon was sighted in Spin Boldak, the area bordering with Afghanistan. Saudi Arabia, UK and many countries of Europe celebrating Eid on Sunday.