Hardline Hurriyat distances itself from grand mufti's decree

"We disassociate ourselves from the 'fatwa' issued by Mufti Bashiruddin (grand mufti of Jammu and Kashmir). People do not recognise him as grand mufti (chief cleric)... Only the government recognises him," Hurriyat Conference spokesman Ayaz Akbar told PTI.

Akbar termed the decrees issued by the grand mufti as "mysterious" saying such things give rise to "lawlessness in the society".

"It is mysterious...The way he issues fatwas...It arises lawlessness," Akbar said, adding fatwas can be issued only when a nation is governed under Shariah rule.

The Hurriyat spokesman also dismissed as "mere propaganda" the reported threats to the rock-band 'Pragaash', saying "a big bomb is being made out of the issue".

"There is no threat to the girls. Nobody has issued any threats. It is a mere propaganda by Indian media and they are making a big bomb out of a normal issue to defame Kashmiris," he said.

Akbar said some youngsters posting abuses on social networking sites cannot be termed as threat, adding Hurriyat does not support such abuse or coercion and force in any way.

The teenage girls, who came to limelight in late December last year after their scintillating performance at the annual 'Battle of the Bands' competition here received online threats and absurd comments, leaving their parents a worried lot and forcing them to keep a low profile.

The girls had defied the convention by stepping into the male-dominated bastion and faced online threats and abuses from conservative sections of the society.

Grand mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad yesterday issued a decree terming singing as un-Islamic.

"I have said that singing is not in accordance with Islamic teachings," Ahmad told PTI yesterday. MORE