Rahman Must Get a Standing Ovation for His Response to the Fatwa
Music composer AR Rahman’s response to the Raza Academy’s fatwa was classy, calm and fantastic.
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Last week, an Indian-Islamic organisation called Raza Academy initiated a fatwa against Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman and Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi for the movie Muhammad: Messenger of God, for which Rahman had composed music.
Raza Academy’s complaint was that since the movie is based on the life of the Prophet, it would be disrespectful if people take the name of the movie in vain.
We know AR Rahman to be a classy, calm and fantastic music composer.
His response to Raza Academy’s fatwa is the same - classy, calm and simply fantastic.
I am not a scholar of Islam. I follow the middle path and am part traditionalist and part rationalist. I live in the Western and Eastern worlds and try to love all people for who they are, without judging them.
— AR Rahman, Music Composer
He then explains that he didn’t direct or produce the movie, he just did the music.
And then, he begins responding to Mr Noori, a member of the Raza Academy.
Rahman’s Response
On Mr Noori’s comment that all Muslims must do something to stop the movie, Rahman says:
My decision to compose the music for this film was made in good faith and with no intention of causing offence. In fact the decision was based on a similar point of view as expressed by Mr Noori. What, and if, I had the good fortune of facing Allah and he were to ask me on judgment day, ‘I gave you faith, talent, money, fame and health... why did you not do music for my beloved Muhammad (sals) film? A film whose intention is to unite humanity, clear misconceptions and spread my message that life is about kindness.
He further explains that it is his duty to dispel existing notions about Muhammad, and that is why he chose to be a part of the movie.
Stating that we are blessed to live in a country like India where religious freedom is practised, he says:
Let us set a precedent in clearing conflict with grace and dignity and not trigger violence in words or actions.
Truly classy Rahman.
Here’s his Facebook statement.