Actor Irrfan Khan has courted controversy by questioning the Ramzan fast and the Muslim festival of Muharram. The actor, whose film Madaari releases on July 15th, said that rather than fasting in Ramzan, people should introspect. He also spoke about qurbaani and the ritual of tajiya procession in the festival of Muharram.
Rather than fasting during Ramzan, people should self-introspect. Animals are being slaughtered in the name of qurbaani during Muharram. We, Muslims, have made a mockery of Muharram. It is meant for mourning and what do we do? Take out (tajiya) processions.Irrfan Khan at a media interaction
He also said that Muslims needs to stand up against terrorism. “Why are Muslims silent against the issue of terrorism. People should also question the politicians over this issue,” he said according to India Today.
Muslim clerics in his hometown, Jaipur have not taken well to these questions. The city’s top Islamic scholars have advised the actor to focus on his acting rather than courting controversies over such remarks.
Maulana Abdul Wahid Khatri, state secretary of Jamaat-e-Ulema-e-Hind, advised the actor to keep out of religious issues and focus on his career.
It would be better if he concentrates on his film career and not make random statements about our religion. He is doing this just for the publicity of his upcoming movie.Maulana Abdul Wahid Khatri, state secretary, Jamaat-e-Ulema-e-Hind
“He should keep his mouth shut as he has no knowledge about the religion,” said Sher Qazi Khalid Usmani, Jaipur’s Shaher Qazi (chief jurist).
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)