‘NO MAULANA CAN OUST ANYONE FROM ISLAM’
VARANASI: Naznin Ansari, who along with Muslim women performed arti of Lord Rama on the eve of Diwali in Varanasi, said no maulana had the authority to expel anyone from Islam. Darul Uloom Deoband issued a fatwa against Ansari recently for performing arti of Lord Rama. Ansari, said, “I am presenting a true picture of Islam by promoting communal harmony.”
VARANASI: Naznin Ansari, who along with Muslim women performed arti of Lord Rama on the eve of Diwali in Varanasi, said no maulana had the authority to expel anyone from Islam. Darul Uloom Deoband issued a fatwa (religious edict) against Ansari recently for performing arti of Lord Rama.
Reacting against the fatwa, Ansari, chairperson of Muslim Mahila Foundation, said, “A maulana (ulema) doesn’t have an authority to expel (kharij) anyone from Islam. I am presenting a true picture of Islam by promoting communal harmony, brotherhood and peace as Kabir, Raskhan, and Khankhana had done once. Our Allah knows that we are true Muslims. We don’t need a certificate from any Deobandi.”
She was speaking in a meeting held at Muslim Mahila foundation office in protest against the fatwa. Representatives of several non government organisations attended the meeting.
As far as performing arti of Lord Rama is concerned, Ansari said, it is part of Indian culture and a way to welcome the Lord.
“Performing arti will strengthen communal harmony. Lord Rama is ancestor of not only Hindus but he is the ancestor of every Indian. Every person who is born in India is descendant of Lord Rama,” she said and added further that being an Indian, she along with a group of women performed the arti of Lord Rama to welcome him.
Ansari said she along with the group of Muslim women would call on inspector general of police and apprise him of the development.
“In case they (ulemas) continue to issue any such fatwas, we will lodge a complaint with police against them,” said Ansari and added further that she would write to PM Modi demanding a ban on the seminary.
Ansari has penned Hanuman Chalisa and Ram arti in Urdu. She along with a number of Muslim women recited Hanuman Chalisa in protest against the triple talaq and rooted for a ban on the practice when the apex court started hearing the matter. Later, the court banned the practice.
Meanwhile, president of Vishal Bharat Sansthan, Rajiv Srivastava said apart from Khuda (God), no one has any authority to oust an individual from his/ her religion.