ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry has laid the foundation stone of Islamabad Space Observatory at Shakarparian Islamabad today (Monday).
According to a press statement, the objectives of establishing this observatory are to address the issue of moon sighting, so that the entire nation can observe these religious events with complete harmony and unity.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Fawad Chaudhry announced that his ministry would also set up space observatories in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar as well.
“Astronomy is a subject that many Muslim scientists hold close to their heart,” he said. He also pointed out that Pakistan was the second country after the USSR to send its rocket into space.
The minister said the dispute was no longer whether one saw the moon or not. “The problem nowadays is, how will those mark Ramadan who is living on the moon?” he asked, adding that the world is heading towards colonising the moon.
He further said that Pakistan will establish its own civil space programme if the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) is not handed back to the Ministry.
Meanwhile, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chairperson Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad said, “We have laid the foundation of something great here. Our committee will derive a lot of technical support with the help of this space observatory.”
The committee’s chairperson said efforts were underway to ensure the entire country celebrates the first of Ramadan and Eid on the same day. He also urged the people to play their part in ensuring Pakistan is transformed into the State of Madina.
