Mufti vs Minister: The annual 'Chaand Raat feud' through the eyes of internet trolls

Perhaps for the first time since the Pakistan Super League 2020 got scrapped, the nation saw a neck-and-neck showdown befitting a Saturday night blockbuster, except that instead of two teams competing for glory, we had pro-science politician Fawad Chaudhry and traditionalist cleric Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman slugging it out over who would prevail on Chaand Raat.

The two sides had been jostling ever since Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry launched a lunar calendar app last year to democratise the moon-sighting process. This obviously did not sit well with the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and its chief, Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman, who have long monopolised the Eid moon sighting ceremony, arguing that it is a religious obligation to do so. 

Chaudhry rekindled the year-old rivalry earlier this week by 'forecasting' that Eid-ul-Fitr 2020 will be celebrated on Sunday, even identifying areas where the Moon would be visible in the country on Saturday night.

Come Saturday, the tensions between the two reached fever pitch. Self-assured to the point of disdain, the minister said there was no point arguing that the moon would be visible or not, as science told him it would be. The religious affairs minister had to jump in and remind him that it was the Ruet-e-Hilal committee's job to announce eid. From the interviews he gave on TV, it was clear that Chaudhry didn't care. 

Then, the announcement of the sighting of the moon took far longer than usual, giving millions anxiety over who would prevail. As the nation waited with bated breath, Chaudhry and his science-based claim ultimately prevailed.   

As expected, Internet comedians, trolls and WhatsApp uncles had a field day, as plenty of memes came out of what was an unprecedentedly funny situation. 

Here is the best of what we have:

Let's get you started with a lighter one:

The tension in the buildup was such that you could cut it with a knife.

The Dangal was unlike any other.

Some drew parallels with cricket.

Others saw it as more of a wrestling match.

Then there were some who felt for the devil, who was caught in no man's land due to the tug-of-war between the Mufti and the minister. 

At around 9pm, with tension at its peak and victory in Team Ruet's sights, this happened:

But when all seemed lost, the Ruet did find credible testimonies of moon sighting, forcing them to tacitly concede that the minister and his lunar calendar proved right.

We wish you all a very happy Eid!