Muslim Women Affected by Darul Uloom Deoband’s Fatwa Sees Ban on Organisation

Varanasi, October 23: A number of Muslim women associated with the Muslim Mahila Foundation demanded a ban on the Darul Uloom Deoband and a probe into its funding. The organisation which has praised R

Varanasi, October 23: A number of Muslim women associated with the Muslim Mahila Foundation demanded a ban on the Darul Uloom Deoband and a probe into its funding. The organisation which has praised Ram and had also asked for construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has come under fire from the Darul Uloom Deoband.

Last week, the Darul Uloom Deoband had issued a fatwa against the women of the Muslim Mahila Foundation, who had performed an ‘aarti’ here on October 18, saying that they couldn’t be considered Muslim.

“These women have done something wrong and they must repent,” the fatwa said.

Nazneen Ansari, one of the founding members said, “Islam does not allow ulemas to impose their views on anyone in religious matters. They can give suggestions or advice people in true light of Islam. They have no authority to oust anyone from Islam.”

The members of the organisation said that they would protest against the practice of issuing fatwas.

In June 2014, the Supreme Court had ruled that fatwas issued by sharia courts or clerics had no legal sanctity. The SC also said that any person trying to enforce a fatwa by any method shall be illegal and has to be dealt with in accordance with the law, the SC said.

The Muslim Mahila Foundation and its members had sought construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. She had even sent a petition to the PM in 2014 and said that the temple’s construction would strengthen the bond between Hindus and Muslims.