PUNE, 20 August 2005 – The Muslim seminary Darul Uloom of Deoband has come under severe attack from Muslims throughout India as well as by political parties and women’s organizations for the fatwa (edict) which it announced last Tuesday, stating that women are not permitted to contest the local bodies elections in the state of Uttar Pradesh, as it is against the tenets of Islam and Shariah, and that if the women insist on contesting the polls, they should do so under the cover of veil.
The fatwa also mentioned that Muslim women contesting the polls should not do the canvassing or interact with males and let that work be handled by their husbands, who should also take care of the household work in their wives’ absence.
Abdullah Mutaliq, an Arab tourist, dismissed the fatwa of Deoband as “utter nonsense” and said that it was an affront to the Muslims, and a hindrance in the path of progress, development and prosperity of the Muslim community.
Mutaliq further said that the muftis should confine themselves within the parameters of their work, should not overstep their limits to generate controversies by illogical fatwas. Blasting the Muftis Mutaliq said, “I am angry with the Deobandis. In the fitness of things they should desist from poking their noses in matters that have no relevance to religion. It is these Deobandi clerics who are a stumbling block in the prosperity of Muslims of India.”
“It is for the second time in recent months that the clerics of Deoband have committed a faux pas. Previously in the Imrana case they first issued a fatwa and then buckling under severe criticism, the clerics denied issuing the fatwa. The clerics are disgracing the religion and lowering the image of Muslims,” said Afzal Khan, a general manager with an insurance company.
The frequent unnecessary fatwas by the clerics of Deoband should come to a halt, said Naeem Akhtar, an Urdu print media journalist from Bombay. By issuing irrelevant fatwas, the clerics have helped hostile media and political parties to make a mockery of the religion and Muslims, Akhtar added.
The latest Deoband fatwa has caused terror among Muslim women who are contesting elections to the local bodies in Uttar Pradesh. Fearing attacks from hardcore Muslim fundamentalists, several Muslim women contestants have adhered to the edict and are campaigning wearing veils. Azra Begum, a candidate for the village head, said she and members of her family had been wearing the veil from a long time and she had complete faith in Shariah.
