IIOJK administration criticized for disregarding lunar calendar on Eid-e-Milad
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the New Delhi-appointed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration faced sharp criticism for not declaring the public holiday for Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) on its correct date, highlighting its disregard for Islam’s holy figures.
According to Kashmir Media Service, despite formal requests to adjust the holiday in line with the actual lunar sighting with Eid-e-Milad falling on Saturday, the Manoj Sinha-led administration ignored the appeals and went ahead with its earlier notification, declaring holiday on Friday (today).
Grand Mufti of IIOJK, Nasir-ul-Islam, expressed his disappointment, stating that it was most unfortunate that despite Eid-e-Milad falling on Saturday as per the moon sighting, the administration’s notification did not reflect the same. “This total mismatch reflects a negative approach towards a revered day which holds immense spiritual and religious significance,” the Grand Mufti said. He urged the administration to exercise accuracy and sensitivity in announcing religious observances in the future.
Earlier, IIOJK Education Minister Sakina Itoo described the decision as “unjust” and said that the administration didn’t heed to the repeated requests from the elected government to shift the holiday to Saturday. She said that such action was akin to playing with emotions of the people. “Decisions like these must be taken by an elected government, not by a selected administration,” she added.
The Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF), Abdul Qayoom Wani also expressed deep concern, calling the administration’s approach “casual” and “non-serious”. He noted that the failure to align the holiday with the lunar calendar disrespects a day of profound spiritual and religious significance for the people.
