‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ Slogan Attracts Fatwa From Islamic Seminary

Muslims should not chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ as it is un-Islamic, says Islamic seminary.

People from Muslim community write Bharat Mata ki Jai with their blood as a way to show their disapproval with AIMIMs chief Asaduddin Owaisis recent comment. (Photo: PTI)

Mahad al Aali al Islami, an Islamic seminary, has issued a fatwa saying that Muslims should not chant Bharat Mata ki Jai as it is un-Islamic. The seminary, which was founded by Muslim Personal Law Board secretary Maulana Khalid, clarified that the issue was not one of patriotism, but rather of deification.

Therefore, for a Muslim chanting <i>Bharat Mata ki Jai</i> is not permissible as the land of Hind (India) is not a goddess. Every Muslim loves the country and is also willing to sacrifice his or her life for it, but (the Muslim) prostrates only before Allah. (For Muslims), only Allah should be worshipped.

<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Islamic-seminary-issues-fatwa-on-Bharat-Mata-slogan/articleshow/51503884.cms">Excerpt from the fatwa in <i>The Times of India</i></a>

However, other slogans which do not imply worship are more than welcome.

United Muslim Forum treasurer Syed Ahmedul Hussaini Sayeed Quadri said: “We can say “Bharat desh ki jai”, “jai Hind” or “Hindustan zindabad”, but Bharat Mata symbolises a goddess which Muslims cannot worship.

<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Islamic-seminary-issues-fatwa-on-Bharat-Mata-slogan/articleshow/51503884.cms">Article in <i>The Times of India</i></a>