JK Admin failed to sync holiday with moon sighting: Grand Mufti on Eid Milad rescheduling

Srinagar: Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Nasir-ul-Islam, has voiced strong dissatisfaction over what he described as the government’s failure to synchronise its holiday notification with the actual sighting of the moon for Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Grand Mufti said it was “most unfortunate” that the government declared Friday as the holiday despite the fact that, according to the moon sighting, Eid-e-Milad falls on Saturday. He termed the mismatch “a negative approach towards a revered day which carries deep spiritual and religious significance for Muslims” and urged the authorities to show greater accuracy and sensitivity in the future while announcing holidays linked to religious observances.

The controversy over the holiday has already triggered sharp political and religious reactions across Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, Education Minister Sakina Itoo also criticised the administration, calling it “totally unjust” that repeated requests from the elected government to shift the holiday were ignored. She said such decisions risk hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community, for whom Eid Milad-un-Nabi is among the most sacred occasions.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi, observed to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), is commemorated every year in Jammu and Kashmir with special prayers, processions and religious gatherings. Disputes over the exact date of observance have, however, surfaced frequently in the region in recent years due to differences arising from moon sighting.