Rumor has it that a female Muslim journalist and a male Sikh politician might be romantically involved, though they maintain they’re just friends. Either way, they’re spending time alone together. Would she marry a non-Muslim? Would she leave Islam for him? None of the clerics’ business? Oh, but it is. In fact, it’s time for a fatwa.
“Shahi Imam issues fatwa against Aroosa,” by Kanchan Vasdev for The Tribune:
Ludhiana, December 26 – Compounding problems for Aroosa Alam, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Ludhiana, today pronounced the “fatwa” against her for her proximity with the former Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh.
He called upon the Sik clergy in the state to ask Capt Amarinder Singh about his relationship with Aroosa. “He should tell us whether he has turned a Muslim or she has changed her religion”. He even claimed that during the Captain’s visits to England and Dubai, he was seen with Aroosa instead of his wife and MP Perneet Kaur.
While pronouncing the edict, Habib-ur-Rehman Saani, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, religious centre of the Muslims in the state, said Aroosa had violated the Sheriat law by visiting a man without being accompanied by any male relative.
Terming her stay with an “unrelated man” as an “unforgivable sin,” the Imam called for her social boycott. The fatwa, a copy of which is with The Tribune, reads: “It is a mortal sin for any woman to stay with an unrelated man. If a Muslim woman cannot even go to haj without her husband, brother or son, how can she stay with an unrelated man?”
The Islam does not permit man-woman friendship. If a Muslim woman has illicit relations with a man, she should be lynched. “Had she been in Saudi Arabia, she would have been stoned by now,” said the Imam.
[…]
The Shahi Imam claimed that she did not belong to a very respectable family in Pakistan. “Aroosa’s mother was better known as “˜General Queen” due to her relations with Gen Yahya Khan. She has spoiled at least 10 homes in her country and now she is
trying to do so in Punjab”. He said he would call upon the Muslim clergy in Pakistan to excommunicate her.
The Shahi Imam urged the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Punjab to initiate a high-level probe into Aroosa’s visits to the state. He suspected that she might be an ISI agent, who was purposely targeting Capt Amarinder Singh, who was well versed with the security and defence installations in the country.
Aroosa rejected the fatwa. According to the Times of India, she said, “I think Islam does not prohibit friendship and brotherhood. Religious interpretation of Islam is so wrong. Islam is a very liberal religion.”
Time for an effigy burning: “Muslims to burn Aroosa’s effigy for her remarks on Islam,” from Express India:
Ludhiana, December 27 The Muslims in north India have decided to burn the effigy of Pakistani journalist Aroosa Alam tomorrow, on her response to the statement regarding the fatwa issued on her.
The fatwa was issued by the Shahi Imam of Ludhiana.
In a statement issued here, Mustkin Ahrari, the spokesman of Jama Masjid said, “Her statements are not tolerable, and hence our organisations in the entire north India will burn her effigies.”
While a number of political parties are opposing Aroosa’s visit to India on one ground or the other, Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, state president of Lok Bhalai Party said that the political parties should stop issuing loose comments about Aroosa. Ramoowalia added that calling her an ISI agent is ridiculous.
He said, “I am not in good terms with Captain Amarinder Singh, but useless statements about Aroosa are not justified.” SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar has already stated that their body has nothing to do with this issue.