Between the Moon and the Message |
Every time Ramadan draws close, the valley faces uncertainty over Eid. For decades, residents remain unsure whether the festival will be celebrated the next day or the day after. Markets stay open late with caution; transport schedules are put on hold and families wait anxiously for confirmation. What should be a moment of shared joy and preparation becomes a period of confusion, as the traditional moon sighting repeatedly fails to provide clarity. This confusion is not accidental. It stems from a fragmented system that relies on scattered testimonies, informal confirmations and multiple sources of authority. Announcements often vary across localities, leaving people to choose which version to follow. Some turn to local clerics, others look beyond the region while many rely on word of mouth that spreads faster than verification. In recent years, social media has intensified this problem, where unverified claims and rumours circulate rapidly, deepening uncertainty and mistrust. By the time a final announcement is made, often late in the late evening, clarity comes too late for meaningful preparation. The pattern repeats each year with little effort to resolve it in a lasting way.
This is not merely a cultural inconvenience. It points to a deeper gap in civic infrastructure. While J&K has made visible progress in physical development through roads, tunnels and improved connectivity, systems of coordination and public communication remain underdeveloped. Moon sighting, which affects millions at once, falls squarely within this neglected space. In a modern and connected society, continuing with an informal approach is no longer sufficient. The way forward is not to replace tradition but to support it with structure. The present Ruet-e-Hilal committee is outdated. In today’s era, it........