SRINAGAR, 30 May 2007 — Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Bashiruddin yesterday issued a fatwa (religious edict) holding unacceptable the army’s construction, repair and renovation of mosques in the valley. “Not even donation for such work can be accepted from non-Muslims. Islam forbids its followers from accepting help from non-Muslims for such activities,” the grand mufti said in a statement. “The Shariah law does not allow any person or persons other than Muslims to partake in and donate for construction and repair of mosques and shrines. In my capacity as the grand mufti of the state, I declare that this shall be treated as a verdict within the purview of the Shariah that no person or persons, organization or organizations other than Muslims can construct, renovate any mosque or shrine,” he said.
