- Source: Shahabuddin Popalzai
Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai (Pashto: مفتي شهابالدین پوپلزی) is an Islamic cleric, Imam, Khatib and head of the regional moon-sighting committee at the historic Qasim Ali Khan Mosque, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The committee, whose existence predates the creation of Pakistan, traditionally declares the sighting of the Ramadan and Shawwal moons, resulting in the fasting and Eid in certain regions of Khyber Pakthunkhwa including Peshawar, although most of the rest of Pakistan follows the central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
Popalzai is also serving as the Emir of the Aalmi Majlis Tahaffuz Khatm-e-Nubuwwat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter.
Biography
Mufti Popalzai is born into the Popalzai clan of Durrani tribe of Pashtuns in Peshawar. He studied Islamic studies at Islamia College Peshawar and later became a prominent cleric in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Mufti Popalzai has large following in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Tribal Areas, and the northern tip of Balochistan province among Pashtuns.