ISLAMABAD — A resident of Islamabad has filed a unique petition in the High Court, requesting that authorities announce the sighting of the Eid moon promptly to avoid public inconvenience and market chaos.
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Abdullah Shafiq Jan, filing in his personal capacity, asked the court to direct the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to declare the Eid moon immediately after its sighting. The petition pointed out that delays in announcing the moon often lead to people performing Taraweeh prayers before the official declaration, creating confusion in religious observances.
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The petitioner also highlighted the impact of late announcements on shopping areas, noting that markets become overcrowded when people rush to purchase Eid essentials, posing a challenge for law and order management. He requested the court to instruct authorities to take preventive measures to avoid potential disorder during Eid festivities.
In addition to an early moon announcement, the petition sought orders to keep non-essential markets closed on Eid day to manage crowds effectively. It emphasized coordination between the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and local administration to ensure citizens can celebrate Eid safely and in an organized manner.
Legal experts describe such petitions as rare, as the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee traditionally follows lunar observations to determine the Eid date. However, this case highlights growing public concern over the practical implications of delayed moon announcements, from religious practices to market congestion.
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The High Court is expected to review the petition and may summon responses from both the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and relevant authorities. Observers say the case could ignite discussions about modernizing the moon sighting process to make it more predictable for the public.