[Reader-list] Who gives muftis the right to give fatwas?

[M Javed]

Gay sex against tenets of Islam: Deoband
29 Jun 2009, 1353 hrs IST, PTI

MUZAFFARNAGAR, UP: A leading Islamic seminary on Monday opposed
Centre's move to repeal a controversial section of the penal law which
criminalises homosexuality saying unnatural sex is against the tenets of Islam.

"Homosexuality is an offence under Shariat Law and haram (prohibited)
in Islam," deputy vice chancellor of the Darul Uloom Deoband Maulana
Abdul Khalik Madrasi said.

Madrasi also asked the government not to repeal section 377 of IPC
which criminalises homosexuality.

His objection came a day after law minister Veerappa Moily said a
decision on repealing the section would be taken only after
considering concerns of all sections of the society, including
religious groups like the church.

Terming gay activities as crime, Maulana Salim Kasmi, vice-president
of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), said
homosexuality is punishable under Islamic law and section 377 of IPC
should not be tampered.

Maulana Mohd Sufiyan Kasmi, an AIMPLB member, and Mufti Zulfikar,
president of Uttar Pradesh Imam Organisation have also expressed
similar views on the issue.

Kasmi said it would be harmful for the society to legalise gay sex.

Buoyed by the news that the Centre is considering repealing the
controversial section of the IPC, members of the gay community on
Sunday held parades in several cities.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Gay-sex-against-tenets-of-Islam-Deoband/articleshow/4715517.cms