Fatwas have done more harm than good: AIMPLB

Lucknow, Nov 2 (UNI) Admitting that the Muslim community was lacking meaningful leadership, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) today lamented the spate of fatwas had done more harm than good.

''The fatwas issued almost everyday from different quarters have no meaning and are oftenly misleading,'' noted shia cleric and AIMPLB vice president Maulana Kalbe Sadiq told newspersons here.

Fatwas have sanctity only when it is issued by a competent authority and in right manner, he said adding fatwas issued 'locally' had no meaning.

Maulana Sadiq said the media should also be selective enough to understand fatwas and their sanctity.

Conceding the action of some Muslims had resulted in criticism of the whole community, the Shia cleric said the time had come for a discussion on who were true followers of Islam. ''People defying Islamic principles and claiming to be Muslims are mere tools in the hands of enemies of Islam,'' he observed.

With an aim to sensitising Muslims on what they are supposed to do for the welfare of humanity, a three-lecture series on the topic of 'Islam versus Muslims' is being organised under the auspices of 'Global Peace Mission' from November 3 to 5.

The Shia cleric also supported the statement of film actor Shabana Azmi in which she had called for a debate on the issue of Muslim women covering face with a veil.

Meanwhile, Maulana Sadiq also supported the Domestic Violence Act and suggested the law be given more teeth. ''Islam does not allow the harassment of women.'' UNI SB VS VA KP1800