Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz on Monday proposed formation of a high-powered committee to see how the nation could observe a Ramazan fast and celebrate Eid on the same day.
Dr Qibla Ayaz, a distinguished Islamic scholar, said in a statement that the nation had always been divided over the issue of moon-sighting of Ramazan and two Eids.
The CII chairman backed the proposal of Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry about preparation of a lunar calendar, adding that the scholars, however, suggest that sighting the moon with naked eye was compulsory according to the religious teachings.
The CII chief emphasised on considering the point raised by the federal minister to reach a solution.
Dr Ayaz is known for promoting inter-faith and sectarian harmony. He was appointed the chairman of the CII in November 2017, which provides legal advice to the government on Islamic issues, but its recommendations are not legally binding. Fawad Chaudhry in his tweet on Sunday said a scientific committee would prepare a calendar for 10 years, which would not require sighting of moon physically, and after 10 years latest technology would be used to ascertain birth of moon more accurately.
He said it would end uncertainty about moon sighting, especially on Eids.
