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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was among a large number of political leaders who gave their unflinching support to the girls, urging them not to quit singing because of a “bunch of morons”. The hardline Hurriyat led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani also criticised the Grand Mufti.
Within days after their performance in Srinagar, the band started receiving online threats and absurd comments which was followed up with a 'fatwa' (religious decree) issued by Grand Mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad yesterday.
Sources close to the band said the girls have decided not to sing in the wake of Mufti's controversial decree.
The 10th-class students -- vocalist-guitarist Noma Nazir, drummer Farah Deeba and guitarist Aneeka Khalid -- had formed a band 'Pragash' and performed in December last year with a scintillating performance at the annual 'Battle of the Bands' competition in Srinagar and won the best performance award in their first public appearance.
Sensing the mounting support for the girls, hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Geelani distanced itself from the 'fatwa' and said, “There is no threat to the girls. Nobody has issued any threats. It is a mere propaganda by the media and they are making a big bomb out of a normal issue to defame Kashmiris.”
The spokesman of the Hurriyat faction Ayaz Akbar said some youngsters posting abuses on social networking sites cannot be termed as threat and added that Hurriyat does not support such abuse or coercion and force in any way.
Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the abusive threats to the rock band and blamed the media for negative portrayal of the issue.
“The government should look into the abuses and threats made by some people to the girls on the Facebook. It is a problem that needs to be sorted out,” Mehbooba said.
She said the reporting of the issue, particularly in electronic media, gave an impression that Kashmiris were a 'Taliban-like' force.
“Music is part of our culture -- we have produced great singers like Raj Begum, Zoona Begum and Kailash Mehra. Kashmiris are an emancipated people,” she added.
In New Delhi, political parties cutting across party lines and various women organisations extended their support to the band and also slammed the Grand Mufti for calling their singing “un-Islamic”.
Congress, BJP, BJD, National Commission for Women, AIDWA and NFIW were on the “same page” asserting that the fatwa by Grand Mufti would push the society backwards.
“This is wrong. Everyone has their own perspective, there are traditions. But I believe that if after so many years of independence, we stop girls from any work, it will be our double standards,” Mamata Sharma, Chairperson of National Commission for Women, said.
“On the one hand we say that both genders should be equal but on the other we put restrictions on girls, that girls cannot do this...I believe this is very wrong,” she added.
Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh slammed the fatwa and said stopping the all-girls rock band will take the society backwards.
“I have always said that whether it is ideology of the Hindu fundamentalist or Muslim fundamentalist, it will take the country back to 18th century. Congress is a moderate liberal party. We cannot support such things,” he said.
Coming out in support of the rock band, BJD MP Jay Panda said: “I think no body has the right to stop other people from expressing themselves through their music or other cultural activities,” he said.
Echoing Singh's views, BJP MP Najma Heptullah said: “Saying anything in the name of religion does not do any favour to the religion...If you don't like songs, don't listen to them. To stop them (the rock band members) in the name of religion, I don't think it is the right move.”
@ all Muslim Sisters: No one has right to say anything about our ISLAM...How much we will become advanced this reality cannot be changed that we are muslims and one day we ve to Die and present ourselves before Allah'SWT',,at that time no music band nd nothing like that is going to help us that time...only our good deeds, our pardah, our dedication towards our religion is goin to help us....so my all sisters nd brothers just remain confined to the things our ISLAM has allowed us nd u ll see inshaAllah ur life ll be full of hapiness nd sucess.....may Allah"SWT" bless u all nd shows us (Muslims) the right path...
If singing and dancing is un-Islamic, then why should any Islamic country have any women singer or actor or dancer? Does Quran have any specific annexure for Indian Muslims? If it does have, then why fatwas were not issued at the time of Shmashad Beghum, Noor Jahan, Suraiya, Madhubala, Nargis, Salma Agha, Nazia Hasan and many others. Looks like, there is certainly a clause for Indian Kashimiri Muslims, or maybe, there is a new edition of Talibani Quran that Government of India is going to implement as a guideline for any cultural and social activity. It will soon become a must for the censor board of India to adhere to the guidelines as provided in this version of Quran. First a controversy over Vishwaroopam and now a fatwa over Pragash%u2026we are deeply affected by the terrorism.
If singing and dancing is un-Islamic, then why should any Islamic country have any women singer or actor or dancer? Does Quran have any specific annexure for Indian Muslims? If it does have, then why fatwas were not issued at the time of Shmashad Beghum, Noor Jahan, Suraiya, Madhubala, Nargis, Salma Agha, Nazia Hasan and many others. Looks like, there is certainly a clause for Indian Kashimiri Muslims, or maybe, there is a new edition of Talibani Quran that Government of India is going to implement as a guideline for any cultural and social activity. It will soon become a must for the censor board of India to adhere to the guidelines as provided in this version of Quran. First a controversy over Vishwaroopam and now a fatwa over Pragash%u2026we are deeply affected by the terrorism.
I strongly condemn any such activity of people in kashmir.It is an islamic republic so no chance for both the sexes to get involved in illegal islamic activities.Those who provoke such ideas "tell their sisters to go for that job" or either keep your mouth shut.shame on the part of their parents who allowed them to do so.
I sincerely hope that waht Aqif has written is a 'tongue-in-cheek' response and he does not really mean it. This is India, man ..... not a Shariat abiding Mullah Republic ....
India which includes J&K is secular and non islamic.These uneducated people belong to 6-7 century tribal mind set where woman are treated as salves.
What a shame to destroy talent in young people! Life is all hard work. What is the harm in allowing some music to smooth-en it ???
The Islamic clergy should issue a fatwa against the Mufti so that he is either deported or punished by the community. Maybe take away his title. This embellishes common perception that Muslims are Luddites. Hopefully they are more emancipated and capable than that.
You brave girls go for singing. Do not listen to these morons. Prophet permitted the girls singing after winning Mecca. Kashmir has been place where talents were encouraged.
%u201CJust because Your dad & mom Told (you born Muslim and your name is Muslim) But you have know knowledge about Islam keep your mouth shut we dont need your suggestions and you know nothing about yourself read Your Islamic Books first and specially for those who come from other religions do not have any right to talk you peoples first Learn About your Religion Properly after that we thing about it you have any right to suggest Muslim girls What is Right and wrong can anyone tell me what is the reason behind the rapes this is all because of this dancing bars, clubs, etc and one more thing To mr.pacru what ever their is a gay or guy both are humans in front of My Almighty Allah everyone is same what ever he is Gay men or Women unable to see mean Islam means There's none so blind as those who will not listen.
If singing is un-islamic, then how come no fatwa was issued against Ghulam Ali (small and big), Mehdi Hasan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen and others. I have not seen any fatwa being issued against scores of muslim singers in Arabia and in other muslim pre-dominant countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and all over the world. Then how come this Grand-Mufti can issue a fatwa, violating fundamental human rights and right of equality before law, enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Is he bigger than constitution? Has he got more legitimacy than moral and legal basis of freedom and democracy of this country? Why is this spineless Congress government watching this unholy, discriminatory and illegal open threat of coercion against women and preparing to take society back to stone age? This Mufti should be arrested and charged with treason.
Depressing to live in country like us: - You sing, they say you are a girl so you should not Why there is no President's rule in J&K .... the governement is in no position to protect its citizens and assure constitutional freedom. Is there anything to do with speacial status of J&K?
Instead of preventing people from living the life they want and realizing their dreams, these terrorists should get themselves a life and take care of it. NO ONE CAN'T STOP PEOPLE FROM DOING AND BEING WHAT THEY WANT. What is the negative point in playing music? Then ALL KASHMIR should live in complete SILENCE, mosques included of course. It is only because Pragash is a music band made of women, and women have to stay home and be treated like slaves, according to these people's opinion. TO HELL with those people who still think, at the 21st century, that they can rule everybone's life. Hang them all once for all!!!
Singing by male is OK? Acting in movies OK? What a stupid reason to ban these upcoming talented girls. Nazia Hassan came to India frpm Pak became famous and so many. This is OK ? Stupid people
why don't Rahul Gandhi speak about this.. after all he is a youth icon of India. He must come forward to save these girls ...insead of talking here and there.
Let the kashmiri youth do what they want to do... Don't compel them..
Why he still remain mufti? why ordinary muslims still support them? where are those so called muslim leaders? where is your protest? you will protest against movie, but not agaist fanatics?
I being a strong beliver of Woman rights for equality, endorses the views of most of the here.But one thing I fail to understand , in Inda there are several states where an All Woman Band will receive a Red Carpet Welcome and will be a and hit.Why then it comes up in Kashmir only and not in other states? There is some thing fishy, the intentions does not appear to be bonofide.
It's really shame. One the one hand Muslims say they are ill treated by Hindus. They are not respected. they cry for reservation in jobs. On the other hand when someone is trying to achieve something, their religious people prevent them from doing so. Can't we say that this community will never grow or develop. If that innocent girls become ready to be human bomb, the so called Mufti will be more than happy. Isn't it??
Where are you Barkha, Pranav, Rajdeep and so-called pundits of the mainstream media? Will this news get enough coverage? Probably no, as your gulf funded channels will lose the cash flow from muslim countries, if you air this news. You all get paid for criticizing Modiji, and hindus. Shame on all of you. Shame on Media.
The Fatwa against music is absolutely deplorable.Prophet Mohammed(pbh) heard it, encouraged it,"Duff" is a round leather-coated instrument used by Muslims to sing.Any drum is maid like hat and sound made is the same .Difference of size may make different sounds.While women on camel back, men used to sing even in he presence of Nabi(pbh)."Ihya Uloomudheen" of Imam Gaazali approves music.So Sufis,
Deplorable statement.. Music unites, and that is the basis of all religions
First FATWA needs to be given against all these people, who keep poking noses, now if he has to issue a fatwa then he must have heard their songs or seen them performing else how whill he know, tat means he is also defying the the rule and breaking it.... Grow up guys, how can u be so mean on talent.... be it a guy or gal...
It is also possible that he has only heard about such band and issued a fatwa. He does not necessarily see or hear them perform.
The news on this will now do a disappearing act from channel and newspapers except a few as the diehard psedo-secularists,paid,servile media men and women of the likes of Sardesai and Barkha wants their heads to be intact.
Mufti himself need to become a true muslim himself first, he should close his eyes for few minutes and think ,he will clearly see himself in a real mess with stains of sins on his own cloths.Leave kasmiri inocents alone they are not your or Hurriyat leaders properity.The live in free world and can decide what is good or bad for them ,dont impose rules and pressure on them.Let them live and make their livilihood as they dont get money from different sources in the name of struggle. the day is not far when all Hurriyat leaders (with any alpabet)will have to explain their levish life style and most expensive properties
Wonder if this will have the same coverage as we had in FB girls ?? or that was just because Congress wanted to nullify the impact created by Balasaheb Thakare's funeral....
