(Baqra) Eid ka Chand

Baqra Eid 2012 Moon From Our Rooftop

Yesterday, when I was coming out of the mosque after Maghrib prayers I inevitably noticed the newborn crescent of Zil-Hajj. Subhanallah!

It was a welcome sight as observing a newborn moon is not only difficult but important also. (Why so? Please see below)

Good Luck

Luckily the sky was clear enough that even a person with eyesight like mine could see it without seeking someone’s help!

It was a good luck for the whole nation also as the self-assuming clerics at Masjid Qasim Khan at Peshawar could not see the Halal a day earlier! So unlike the ‘small’ Eid a couple of months back when we celebrated on three different dates, there will be – most probably – one ‘big’ Eid all across the country!

However, SaudiArabia announced that they will celebrate the 3 days festival of sacrifice from Friday, a day earlier, as they had already completed 30 days of Ze-Qaad. Accordingly, this year Hajj will be performed on Thursday, October 25^th.

Suspense

Overhere, especially around work places, people are worried about Eid holidays, i.e. which days government would announce officially off. It is tricky because Eid is now falling on Saturday and Sunday, which are already off-days at most places, so people are now expecting something generous from the ‘awami’ government! A friend suggests “Who knows the govt. is quite liberal in giving holidays and may also announce Monday (alongwith Friday) off.”

Around neighborhoods, people – and especially youngsters – are mostly discussing where to buy the sacrificial animal, and at what price?

The Basics

On top of all this festivity, let’s not forget the rationale behind it; sacrifice, good deeds, and helping those who are in need. I found the following link very appealing in this regard and would also like to share it with ones who might be looking for solace:

Virtues of the First 10 Days of “Dhul-Hijja”

Why Moon Sighting is Difficult and Important?

It is Difficult in the sense that the newborn moon is usually razor thin, unlike the moon yesterday, and needs sharp eyes to locate. It appears for very short duration and that too around sunset. So if the environment is hazy or there clouds, sighting becomes more difficult.

And important in the sense that the start of a lunar month is usually subject to moon sighting which cannot be predicted in advance accurately as there are almost always a chance that the new moon appears a day earlier, i.e. after completing only 29 days of the previous month; as it appeared here yesterday.

It becomes more important for Muslims because their festivals – Ramzan, Eid, Baqra Eid, Ashura – are linked to the lunar calendar and their exact dates are always a surprise, at times till the eleventh hour! This phenomenon adds an element of suspense, diversity, and sometimes controversies also!

Resource

On the internet, I found a useful resource on moon sighting; however, I am not sure of its authenticity:

http://moonsighting.com/1433zhj.html

And yes, a warm Eid Mubarak to all in advance.

CNG Cylinder Testing in Karachi

Warning at a Fuel Station by HDIP for CNG Cylinder Testing

CNG cylinders need to be tested every 5 years for safety reasons. Last month, while I was celebrating the 5^th Birthday of my car a well-wisher reminded me of the requirement. Initially I took that casually but later on realized that I should not take the risk.

Now when the CNG cylinder of my car passed the survival test successfully, I thought to share the experience with fellows hoping that it would make the process easier. Overall, this is a straight forward process and requires no tricks, i.e. agents etc. The only downside is that the testing facility is far away from the city center and one has to drop the cylinder for 2-3 working days..

First it requires is a visit to the testing facility to drop the cylinder along with the payment of testing fee (Rs. 550 ) and then the second visit, after 2-3 working days, to pick the cylinder and the test report.

Testing Center: Hydrocarbon Institute of Pakistan

Testing of CNG cylinders is mainly carried out by the Hydrocarbon Institute of Pakistan(HDIP) at their facility located in Korangi Creek, near CBM (the famous Business School) and Pakistan Refinery (not the National Refinery which is in the Korangi Industrial Area). In order to reach there first you need to reach Korangi crossing – a very busy intersection which connects Korangi Road and Korangi Creek Road.


Starting Point > KPT Flyover (Qayyumabad) > Korangi Crossing > CBM > Pakistan Refinery > HDIP Testing Facility

Korangi Crossing to HDIP: From Korangi crossing, continue towards CBM and take right turn just after the CBM’s main gate, on the left hand ~1 km). Continue until you see the barricades of Pakistan Refinery (~ 1 km); continue to the road on the left side, outside the refinery, which is only visible once you reach the barricades. Continue another furlong till you see HDIP buildings, very visible, on both sides of the road. You have to go to the one on the left side. Ask the guard for directions inside the building.

HDIP Directions: Take Right Turn from Here (Opposite CBM)

HDIP Directions: Take Left from Here (Behind Pakistan Refinery)

Tips

• Fuel Pump: Check beforehand if the fuel pump of your car is working as you need to leave the CNG cylinder at the facility. Also, do fill up the petrol tank as per your requirement as there are no fuel pumps near HDIP.

• Cylinder Age: Don’t go if your cylinder is not still 5 years old. Year of manufacture can be found engraved on the vessel.

• Facility Location: Make sure you know how to reach the testing facility which is located far from the city center in Korangi Creek (see above for detailed directions).

• Timing: 09:00 to 16:00 daily with Saturdays and Sundays off.

• Payment: Rs. 550. Keeping the exact change – i.e. a note each of Rs. 500 and Rs. 50 – would be wise. Staff will dismount the tank and looks no need to pay anything extra for that. Make sure you get the HDIP slip with your car registration number and cylinder identification mentioned on it.

• Empty the Tank: Utilize all the gas in the cylinder which will be wasted otherwise as the staff empties the tank before testing.

• Remounting the Vessel: The staff will just load the cylinder in your car and will not remount that, which used to be the practice earlier. However, when I talked to the guy there, he was willing to do me the favor, obviously with some expectation. I paid Rs. 100 in the end which was more than the service he provided, imo. The other option would have been to get it done at any CNG station.

Feel free to write me at muzamil79@gmail.com if you need assistance regarding directions or any further information.

Dismounting the CNG Kit at HDIP Facility

HDIP Facility

Get the Receipt

Testing Report after the Test

Contact Details

Contact Details of HDIP Facility

Address: ST-3, Sector 47, Near Pakistan Refinery Limited, Korangi Creek, Karachi-75190

Phones: 0333 2226188 (Rasheed); 99203650(CNG); 35092422(Office); 35090504(Labs)

Alternatives

Sign Board of an Alternative (not tested)

I guess CNG stations can also help in getting your cylinder verified from HDIP by charging their commission.

ICC T20 World Cup: Arithmetic of Group 2

Published first at: http://blogs.thenewstribe.com/blog/68037/icc-t20-world-cup-arithmetic-of-group-2/

There are and will be a lot of heavy hearted discussions about what went wrong on Sunday when Pakistan once again could not break the World Cup jinx against India. Amid hot debates, live TV shows, and expert analyses, let’s do some arithmetic on Group 2’s points table which has got as interesting as it could be.

In the Super Eight stage all the teams have played two matches so far with Sri Lanka and Australia leading their respective blocs. In Group 2 Pakistan is placed second due to a very thin run rate difference with India, which currently stands third and would be out of the tournament if fails to improve that in its last group match. South Africa lags all its peers but still has a hope, arithmetically speaking.

Here goes a quick number check on how Pakistan could make its room in the brief knockout stage:

Best Case: We Win They Lose

Although we could not do that ourselves, we would not be less pleased if South Africa could do it on our behalf. All we would have to do is to beat Australia first if it is not too much an ask. Simply put, if Pakistan wins and India loses on Tuesday, Australia and we would qualify for the semis without even considering the last column, i.e. the run rate.

Next Case: Win-Win Situation. Really?

If both Pakistan and India manage to defeat Aussies and Proteas respectively then this would be a win-win situation for arch rivals, but only apparently. Why apparently? Because in this case there will be three contenders from Group 2 for the two Semi Final slots each having six points. So it would be the run rate which will decide the fortune and Aussies have a clear edge here with two heavy wins in their kitty. Once again, the contest will be between India and Pakistan, however, off the cricket pitch.

In case, this is becoming too complex skip the previous paragraph, here is a simpler version.

If both Pakistan and India win on October 2, Pakistan’s margin of victory needs to be equal or wider than that of India to get through to the next level. Existing run rates of both the teams are too close – Pakistan (-ve) 0.426 vs India (-ve) 0.452 – and even a single run can turn the table.

Those three dot balls which Virat Kohli played in the 17^th over against Saeed Ajmal – in the pursuit of a finishing sixer and the attached glory – could play a vital role if this scenario materializes!

Choker’s Case: Game On for Proteas

The biggest beneficiary of Pakistan’s defeat yesterday after Dhoni is De Villers whose team is right back in the tournament although with a thin chance. This chance can only open up further if both Pakistan and Inida lose their next group encounters. Even in this case, Pakistan has a slight chance should they fight till the very end and so does India to the effect that South Africa would be unable to improve their run rate to match that of Pakistan.

So if Pakistan loses against Australia – provided with a very thin margin – Pakistani fans will face a dilemma for the later contest on the same pitch. They would support Proteas but would not want India to give up completely!

By the way this is not the first time when South Africans would decide the fate of other teams rather than their own.

Worst Case: You know it already!

Pakistan loses and India wins; no further elaboration needed, I believe.

Nature’s Case: When it rains

In addition to the opponents, players need to outperform the tropical weather which acted as an unwanted non-state actor more than once in this tournament. Come Duckworth Lewis method in play and all the above calculations would be worthless. If this happens to be a full day of rains Pakistani supporters would be the one to enjoy that fully as their team would proceed to the next level due to the better run rate!

Whichever case realizes, let me state that despite all the criticism on ICC regarding the tournament format, cricket’s apex controller managed to keep it thrilling till the end.