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New Delhi: Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir will observe Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi on Saturday, unlike the rest of India which is observing the occasion today, August 5.
However, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced the holiday for the festival on Friday, instead of Saturday, triggering a massive controversy. The region is celebrating Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi on Saturday as per the Islamic lunar calendar.
J&K Minister Sakina Itoo slammed the administration of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for the error in allotting the holiday on Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi “despite repeated requests".
She took to X and wrote, “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?"
She added, "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."
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also slammed the holiday decision and shared an image of the calendar printed that the Government press printed. In the calendar, September 5 is a holiday for Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi based on the sighting of the moon.
He wrote, "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 & designed to hurt the sentiments of the people."
Iltija Mufti, the leader of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), slammed the National Conference-led government for the fiasco and wrote on X, “How unfortunate that a blessed occasion like Eid-e-Milad for Muslims all over the world is not even being observed on the correct day in J&K. Month after month we witness how the NC Government even with a brute majority legitimises & normalises such atrocious decisions. India’s only Muslim majority state doesn’t even have the freedom to declare our cherished religious occasions."
In Maharashtra, the government has shifted Eid-e-Milad's holiday in Mumbai and the suburban district to September 8 from September 5. It was done as the Muslim community decided to hold Eid-e-Milad processions on September 8 to ensure smooth Anant Chaturdashi on September 6.
