Another Muslim sect issues fatwa against Rushdie's visit

Adding to the opposition to author Salman Rushdie's proposed visit to India, another Muslim sect Darul Uloom Farangimahal has issued a "fatwa" in Lucknow, justifying protests against the visit.

"All Muslims, without flouting the law, should oppose through every possible means, the visit of the person who used insulting words against the Prophet so that he cannot set his foot in this country where crores of Muslims live," Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangimahal said.

He further said that India is a secular country and every citizen had the right to raise his voice under the ambit of the law.

The move comes close on the heels of opposition to the visit by key Muslim religious organisations including the Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband and the Barelvi sect.

Noting that the visit will hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community, Deoband had earlier sought cancellation of Rushdie's visa to stop him from visiting the country.

Muslim organisations have warned of "unprecedented protests" if Rushdie is allowed to enter Jaipur to attend the Literature Festival scheduled to begin next Friday.

If the author attends the festival, they said, a large scale dharna will be held near Jama Masjid Johri Bazar in Lucknow, in which Muslims from all over the state will assemble to protest and the government will be solely responsible if the law and order situation is disturbed.

"Rushdie hurt the sentiments of Muslims and no member of the community wants his presence in the country as well as in the state," Habibullah, a representative of Jaiat Ulma- E-Hind (Rajasthan) said at a joint press conference of Muslim organisations in Jaipur.