Science vs muftis.

Byline: Capt Afaq Rizvi - Karachi

GALILEO was incarcerated for supporting the theory that it was not the sun that moved from east to west, but that it was the Earth that rotated on its axis and created this illusion. This, of course, was adjudged as heresy.

Man's curiosity, however, could not be deterred. Heavens continued to be probed. Sailors crisscrossed the oceans by taking bearings from the stars. Today, any navigator worth his name can calculate the exact position of the Eidul Fitr moon, 50 years in advance. Even the Saudis, known for their rigidity, accept the lunar calendar.

Our Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, however, feels that this sacred responsibility cannot be left in the hands of ordinary mortals. When Fawad Chaudhry, the minister in-charge, announced Eid on June 5 last year a week in advance, as per the lunar calendar, there was an uproar.

On June 4, Mufti Munibur Rahman, the chairman of the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, was seen huddled up with his learned companions around a telescope. When the moon could not be sighted because of haze, or possibly just poor eyesight, telephone calls were made across the...