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LAHORE: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal committee announced on Saturday the sighting of the Muharram-ul-Harram moon and the first of Muharram will fall today, Sunday.

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal committee headed by Mufti Munibur Rehman met here at Radio Pakistan building this evening to sight the moon for the new Islamic year 1425.

The moon was also sighted in Peshawar, Parachinar, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Karachi and other parts of the country.

Other members of the committee present on the occasion were Mufti Mohammad Arif Saeedi, Maulana Qari Abdul Rashid, Maulana Shabbir Ahmed Kakakhail, Allama Riaz Hussain Najfi, Allama Maqsood Ahmed Qadri and M.M.Qureshi.

The Chairman of the committee on the occasion offered special prayers for solidarity, integrity, progress and prosperity of the country, freedom of Kashmir and Palestine and for the Muslim World [Ummah].

President asks nation to shun Sectarianism

President Gen Pervez Musharraf has asked the nation to shun sectarianism among them and adopt the guiding principles of tolerance and mutual harmony for the prosperity of country.

In his message on the commencement of new Islamic year 1425 Hijra, the President said Muharram ul Haraam, the first month of Islamic calendar year is among the four months whose sanctity has been described in the Holy Quran. 

He said the Hijra year was started when the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) migrated from Makkah Mukarrama to Madina Munawwara. The event of migration (Hijrat) is of great importance for reviving the spirit among the Muslim Ummah and setting the foundation of a welfare Islamic society.

"Keeping in mind the sanctity of Muharram ul Haraam and the background of Hijra year, we should design our lives in accordance with the true spirit of Islam."

Eschew Sectarian Activities

The President urged for shunning selfish interests and avoiding sectarian activities for the prosperity and welfare of the country as well as Muslim Ummah. The golden principle of tolerance needed to be followed as it is the basic point of Islam and is in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him).

He prayed Allah Almighty to bless this month for the people of country with all its nobility and also protect them from sectarian and terrorist activities.

Prime Minister's Message

In his message on the advent of the new Islamic year, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has urged the nation to discard their differences by following the principles of brotherhood and fraternity.

The Prime Minister said with the blessings of Allah Almighty, Muslims begin their new year with the sacred month of Muharram ul Haraam. The importance of our acts and deeds becomes manifold due to the sanctity of this month.

He said Muharram ul Haraam reminds us of the migration (Hijrat) by the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and the spirit of brotherhood, unity and harmony shown by the Ansaar and Muhajireen.

The month represents the sacrifices by our forefathers and guide us to follow the great principles of human values such as faith, tolerance and courage. "The month guides every individual about living each day of his life with fraternity, oneness and peace."

The Prime Minister said Pakistan is the only Islamic state with nuclear power. Even in the process creation of the country many had to migrate.

Greater Responsibilities

He said great responsibilities lie upon the countrymen to deal with their everyday matters in terms of real Islamic spirit and strong feelings with Pakistan. "We should discard animosity, hatred and malevolence by concentrating to work for the prosperity of country."

The Prime Minister asked the nation to adopt the principles of tolerance, unity and brotherhood regardless of the matter of religion and nationality which is the practice of living nations.