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Jamiat joins issue with Centre on airman’s beard

BANGALORE: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on Sunday joined issue with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre for issuing what it termed a “fatwa” stating that it is not obligatory on the part of Muslims to grow beards.

Reacting to the Union Law Ministry’s statement before the Supreme Court in connection with the case of Aftab Ahmed Ansari, who was not allowed to keep his beard, president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Maulana Arshad Madni said keeping a beard was compulsory for Muslims. “Keeping a beard is obligatory in Islam. It is sinful not to keep a beard,” said the Maulana.

He said airman Aftab Ahmed Ansari had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court after he was denied permission to keep the beard.

When Mr. Ansari went in appeal against the High Court order in the Supreme Court, the apex court consulted the Centre’s opinion on the matter.

“It is unfortunate that the Union Ministry of Law, without understanding the importance of a beard in Islam, had informed the Supreme Court that the beard is not compulsory and it is only a sunnah,” Mr Madni said.

“How can the Government issue such a ‘fatwa?’ The Government should have consulted Islamic scholars before making such a statement in the Supreme Court,” Mr. Madni said and added that the Jamiat would now become party to the petition pending before the apex court now.

Mr. Madni expressed hope that the Government would withdraw its statement before the Supreme Court and back the Jamiat’s stand on the issue of beard.

Mr. Madni criticised the Centre’s proposal to establish a Central Madrasa Board and said the move was part of a “conspiracy” to close down the Islamic seminaries across the country.

“It is a conspiracy to sabotage the democratic rights of Muslims in the country. It is a fact that these madrasas have produced freedom fighters, who have made sacrifices for the country’s independence”, he said.

“Even if the Government wishes to help madrasas through the board, we are not in its favour,” he said.

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