Fatwa asking Sunni Muslims to refrain from Shia parties, part of international conspiracy: scholars

New Delhi: The recent controversial fatwa allegedly issued by Darul Uloom Deoband drew flak from all quarters. Imam and Khateeb of Fatehpuri Shahi Jama Masjid Dr Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, ex-MP Mohammed Adeeb and Prof Dept. of Urdu Ali Ahmed Fatimi strongly condemned the fatwa.

Darul Uloom Deoband the Islamic seminary in Saharanpur has asked the Sunni Muslims to avoid attending the Iftar party and any other social event organised by the Shia Muslims.

Mufti Mukarram Ahmed sensed international conspiracy behind the fatwa and termed it as part of US, Israel and Saudi Arabia planning to hamper brotherhood. He said, in my opinion, it is not a religious issue but a political game which is being played to disturb communal harmony among Sunni Shia Muslims and to promote sectarianism.

Ex-MP Mohammed Adeeb threatened to leave Deobandi sect if such fatwas continue. He said the fatwa talks about not attending the marriage, while even Shia Sunni marriages are allowed in Islam. He said he himself sought a fatwa from Farangi Mahali and his daughter-in-law is Shia. Farangi Mahali had given the fatwa that Shias are Ahle kitab and believe in one book and one prophet.

According to the Daily Pioneer, a bench of three member Muftis of Darul Ifta of Darul Uloom Deoband issued the fatwa saying “the Sunni Muslims should refrain from attending the Iftar parties’’. The Fatwa added “ Sunni Muslims should also not attend the marriage parties of the Shia community and they should not dine in the parties and social gatherings organised by the Shia Muslims’’. The fatwa was issued in response to a question sent by a local resident of Deoband Sikandar Ali.

Meanwhile, a top Sunni cleric has dismissed media reports that claim Darul Uloom Deoband issued a fatwa for Sunni Muslims, asking them to refrain from having Iftar at Shia Muslim houses, News18 reported.

Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali claimed the reports were part of a ‘mischief’. He said, “Deoband never issues such fatwas. It seems to be a case of mischief to disturb the communal harmony among Shias and Sunnis. Both communities can have Iftar together, there is absolutely no doubt about that. Deoband is closed during the holy month of Ramadan, so this raises more doubts about this fatwa. The matter should be probed thoroughly. Muslims should not pay any heed to such fatwas.”