Religious controversy in Pakistan

Islam Online, one of a plethora of websites devoted to elements of Islamic culture and worship, reports in its news section the latest controversy over "moon sighting" in Pakistan. Since the Muslim calendar is lunar, and certain holy days depend upon a particular sighting of a new moon or full moon, there are specialist committees of Islamist scholars who make official declarations of the dates of feasts, the end of the Ramadan fast and such matters. In Pakistan, the secular meteorological office took it upon itself to "prematurely" announce the date of Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice (2 February, according to them.) This caused a furore at the Reut-E-Hilal committee, the religious officials in charge. But this body had apparently "dropped the ball" not long ago by failing to confirm the moon sighting to end the Ramadan fast, with the result that this was celebrated at two different times. Don't feel superior, Christians, until you read about the Council of Whitby and all the kerfuffle that occurred trying to get Ireland and England to celebrate Easter at the same time as the rest of Christendom. Sure, it was over 1000 years ago, but really, is the debate over the Ten Commandments in a courthouse or the ordination of female bishops any more seemly? Rather less, I should say.