Pakistan’s Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhary Saturday said Eidul Fitr would fall on May 24 (Sunday) even as Ruet-er-Hilal Committee was still gathering the evidence to locate the new moon.

Addressing the media, the science minister said that sighting of the moon has always been controversial in the past. “Religious festivals should promote unity and harmony in the country instead of discord,” he added.

He said sighting the moon is no longer a problem due to advancement in science and technology. Islam is a religion of knowledge and religious festivals should not be made controversial, he added.

Minister said that it takes a little more than 29 days for the moon to complete its orbit around the earth. The height of the moon should be 6.5 degrees and there should be a difference of around 38 minutes between sunset and moonrise, whereas the minimum angle of view of the moon should be 9 degrees.

“The moon of Shawwal was born at 10:39 pm on the night of May 22,” he said. “Other Muslim countries would be celebrating Eid tomorrow. The moon will be clearly visible through binoculars after sunset today. and it can be seen Sanghar, Badin, Thatta, Jiwani and Pasni from 7:36am to 8:14pm. The moon would be visible for 20 hours.”

He said that the ministry has forwarded the recommendations to the prime minster’s office and would comply with their final decision.

He also appealed to the people to help sight the moon and make videos to send it to confirm the moon sighting.

Earlier, Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai has also announced to celebrate Eid in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday after completing 30 fasting days of Ramazan. Ironically, Mufti Popalzai presented to him of sighting the moon on Friday to hold Eid on Saturday.