Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Sept 5: A row erupted today after the J&K administration did not reschedule the official holiday for Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), traditionally observed as per the sighting of the moon.
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Sharing a photo of the official calendar on ‘X’, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the decision of the “unelected” Government was aimed at hurting people’s sentiments.
“The calendar printed by the Government press is very clear – ‘Subject to the appearance of the moon’. It means that the holiday is subject to change depending upon the moon being sighted. The deliberate decision by the unelected Government to not shift the holiday is inconsiderate and designed to hurt the sentiments of the people,” he wrote.
His Cabinet Minister, Sakeena Itoo, also criticized the administration, asking what does “subject to appearance of the moon” mean if it is not followed.
She also said that despite repeated requests from the Government, no action has been taken.
“This is totally unjust that Eid-e-Milad, a sacred occasion for Muslims worldwide, is not observed as a holiday on the correct date in J&K. What does ‘subject to appearance of the moon’ mean if it is not followed? Despite repeated requests from the elected Govt to shift the holiday, no action has been taken. This is playing with the emotions of the people. Such decisions should be at the helm of the elected Government,” she wrote.
Notably, the holiday for Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), was scheduled for September 5; however, following the moon sighting, the observance shifted to September 6.
The administration, however, did not announce the rescheduling, drawing sharp criticism and highlighting the elected Government’s powerlessness and lack of authority in the matter.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also criticised the move from the pulpit of Jamia Masjid, terming it “deliberate” and “unacceptable” to the people of J&K.
He also regretted the “silence” of the elected Government, who, he said, have “failed” to take a stand on any issue pertaining to the people of J&K.
“Authorities, have, for the second consecutive year, failed to reschedule the holiday of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) in accordance with the actual date, which is tomorrow and showing utter disregard for the sentiments of Muslim community on this revered occasion. This deliberate negligence is unacceptable to the Muslims of JK who protest it strongly,” he said.
Grand Mufti of J&K Nasir-ul-Islam also expressed strong disappointment over what he termed as the Government’s failure to align the official holiday for Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), with the actual sighting of the moon.
He urged the authorities to ensure that such discrepancies are not repeated in the future, stressing that the sanctity of religious occasions must be respected and preserved.
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