Lucknow: 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.
Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali claimed the reports were part of a ‘mischief’, while Shia clerics said such fatwas could be part of a conspiracy to hamper brotherhood between both communities.
Speaking to News18, Maulana Rasheed 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 Ramzan, so this raises more doubts about this fatwa. The matter should be probed thoroughly. Muslims should not pay any heed to such fatwas.”
Noted Shia Cleric Maulana Yasoob Abbas also spoke to News18 and said, “Such things hamper brotherhood. It seems this was done as a part of a conspiracy to disturb peace between the two communities. Darul Uloom should probe the matter and punish the guilty.”
Sikandar Ali, the man who claims to have asked Darul Uloom the question on Iftar at Shia Muslim houses, says he received the fatwa as a response at the institution. “The reply I received was that Sunni’s should not attend Iftar’s hosted by Shia Muslims. I submitted my question at the gate on day one and received a reply the next day. I was asked to collect the envelope containing my answer from the gate,” he said.
Vice Chancellor of Darul Uloom, Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, refused to comment on the issue.
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