Tells political leadership not to encourage ‘anti-social’ activities
Rising Kashmir News
Srinagar, Feb 03: Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Bashir-u-Din Ahmad Sunday issued fatwa against the valley’s only all-girl rock band ‘Pragaash’. He also criticized the political leadership of the state for supporting the "shameless act".
The development comes just a day after Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah extended support to the band and lashed out at the "handful of morons" for hurling online abuses against the girls.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Grand Mufti confirmed the decree and said he has told girls of the band that music is not good for society and they should inculcate “better values” in themselves.
On the support extended by the chief minister, Mufti said it will have a negative impact on Kashmir society. “Such things should not be encouraged by the political leadership.”
The band 'Pragaash (morning light)' consisting of three school girls, vocalist-guitarist Noma Nazir, drummer Farah Deeba and Guitarist Aneeka Khalid, gave its first live performance during a music festival, ‘Battle of the Bands’ in Srinagar in December last year.
After their performance, some facebook users uploaded a picture of the performance which generated praises from some and abuses from others on the social networking websites.
Grand Mufti also said that all the bad things happening in the Indian society are because of music.
“Girls and women folk can change the outlook of the society. But when girls indulge in indecency, immorality and are chained in the clutches of music and singing, it is unfortunate for the society,” reads the statement issued by him Sunday afternoon.
Grand Mufti also asked educational institutions to inculcate good values among students. “Girls indulging in musical activities is the first step towards destruction of our nation. There is a good part of our youth which is turning towards religious activism, but there are few girls in our society who are on a wrong path and they should mend their ways.”
Supporting the band, the chief minister had said it was a matter of shame for those who demand freedom of speech on social media networks but use it to threaten the girls.
He had said police will probe the threats. "I hope these talented young girls will not let a handful of morons silence them,” the chief minister had added.
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