UP Muslim women defy fatwa over aarti'

Lucknow: A day after the Darul Uloom Deoband in Saharanpur issued a fatwa against a group of women who had performed ‘aarti’ on Diwali in Varanasi; the women have decided to defy the fatwa.

Nazneen Ansari, founder president of Muslim Mahila Foundation (MMF), said, “Lord Ram is our ancestor. We can change our name and religion, but how we can change our ancestor? Singing in praise of Lord Ram not only bridges the gap between Hindus and Muslims, but also reflects the generosity of Islam”. The event was organised by Muslim Mahila Foundation and Vishal Bharat Sansthan to promote communal harmony in Varanasi. 

However, Mufti Mohammad Arshad Farouqui, chairman of the online fatwa department, said on Saturday that “Islam is a monotheistic religion and there is no room for worshipping plural gods and goddesses.”