[Reader-list] Modelling, acting un-Islamic: Deoband

[Jeebesh]

dear Kshmendra,

Are you the Deoband publicity manager :)

warmly
jeebesh

On 03-May-10, at 2:40 PM, Kshmendra Kaul wrote:

> Press Trust Of India
>
> Muzaffarnagar, May 02, 2010
>
> Modelling, acting un-Islamic: Deoband
>
>
> What is the religious sanction behind a fatwa and how does the fatwa- 
> issuing cleric ensure that the ruling is enforced?
>
> This is the question that arose when the country's oldest Islamic  
> seminary Darul Uloom Deoband recently issued a fatwa (religious  
> edict) decrying modelling and acting by women as "un-Islamic" and a  
> "serious offence" under Shariat Law.
>
> "Veil is an important principal of religion. Unveil is illegal under  
> Shariat Law. But modelling and acting in movies is a serious offence  
> under Islamic law since women who model or act in movies not only  
> remove the veil but also make an exhibition of their bodies," Deputy  
> Vice chancellor of Deoband, Maulana Abdul Khaligue Madrasi told PTI  
> here.
>
> He said Muftis were justified to issue a fatwa against modelling in  
> the light of the Islamic law, "But what is the sanctity of a fatwa  
> if people do not follow its directives?" Madrasi was asked, in the  
> context of an earlier fatwa which had advised tennis star Sania  
> Mirza not to wear shorts or revealing tennis skirts.
>
> However, on persistent questioning, he clarified that "Fatwa is not  
> mandatory. Fatwas are not meant to be a general pronouncement.  
> Madrasi clarified that a fatwa issued by the Darul Uloom is not in  
> conflict with the law of land while orders of Khap panchayats in  
> India and Jirgas in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan are  
> implemented by force."
>
> "A Mufti issues a fatwa only if someone comes to him for guidance.  
> Fatwa is not an order but a guidance of principal and even the  
> person seeking guidance has the option to follow it or not", Madrasi  
> said.
>
> This is the first time in recent memory that a senior cleric has  
> clarified that a fatwa can be followed or ignored.
>
> But, Mumbai film celebrities disagreed with the Deoband cleric's  
> view that modelling and acting in films was unislamic.
>
> When contacted, noted lyricist Javed Akhtar said, "There is nothing  
> unislamic in it. I do not know why it has become an issue". Actor  
> and model Zulfi Syed was of the opinion, "Islam is a modern religion  
> and does not bar acting or modelling. I feel people who do not have  
> knowledge of it make a hue and cry for no good reasons."
>
> His views were also endorsed by actor Shahwar Ali saying "No  
> religion bars acting or modelling. Like other professions this also  
> requires hard work. I do not understand what is the need to issue  
> fatwa against it."
>
> http://www.hindustantimes.com/Modelling-acting-un-Islamic-Deoband/H1-Article1-538475.aspx
>
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