Author: Vinay Krishna Rastogi
Publication: Mid-Day
Date: October 28, 2001
URL: http://www.chalomumbai.com/asp/article.asp?cat_id=29&art_id=16906&cat_code=2F574841545F535F4F4E5F4D554D4241492F5441415A415F4B4841424152
The country's renowned Islamic institution
Darul Uloom in Deoband has issued a 'fatwa' (religious command) to Muslims
throughout the country to boycott all goods manufactured in the United
States and Britain. Use of such goods would be an un-Islamic act, the institute
has warned. As many as 135 Ulemas and Pesh Imams (religious leaders) of
Deoband, known as Deobandis, have approved the fatwa.
Darul Uloom's spokesperson Maulana
Matin-ul Haq Osama Qasimi said that the fatwa directs all Muslims to obey
it. Maulana Asad Masani, National President of the Jamait-Ulema, the religious
organisation of Muslim clerics had urged the Darul Uloom strongly to issue
the fatwa. Any Muslim who now wears clothes, uses toiletries or even drinks
Coca Cola and Pepsi, whether in public or in the secrecy of his or her
home, is not a true Muslim the fatwa states.
The use of even American tissue
paper has been declared 'kufra' or an anti -Islamic act. The Darul Uloom
and the Mazahir Uloom have also declared the American air strikes against
Afghanistan as 'war against Islam'.
It is feared that the fatwa might
ignite passions and whip up hysteria among Muslims who had by and large
remained tranquil despite scattered protests and processions staged by
them. The ulemas warned America that the situation might become volatile
worldwide.
Maulana Qasimi said that the pounding
of Afghan cities and killing of innocent civilians could not be called
a war against terrorism.
'We outrightly reject America's
definition of terrorism. In fact it is itself a terrorist state that has
created terror in the hearts of even women and children. They have destroyed
mosques in air raids in Afghanistan." The Jamait-e-Ulema is also trying
to mobilise Barelvis and Shia religious leaders to join the protest.
Yesterday many Muslims observed
a day long fast as a gesture of solidarity on the call of the Deobandis.
Although Shia religious leaders
have so far restrained from giving such a clarion call to Muslims, the
Shias in Lucknow have organised many protests in the imposing Imambara
here ever since the US strikes started on October 7.
