Kashmirs Grand Mufti issues fatwa on army aid to mosques

Kashmirs Grand Mufti, Mohammad Bashir-ud-Din, has issued a fatwa against using money from the army to renovate mosques and shrines.

Srinagar, May 31 : Kashmir's Grand Mufti, Mohammad Bashir-ud-Din, has issued a fatwa against using money from the army to renovate mosques and shrines.

"Categorically, no non-Muslim can take part in the construction of mosques. Only those who believe in the Muslim faith are allowed. Even the money from non-Muslims cannot be utilised in the construction work," said Mohammad Bashir-ud-Din.

The Mufti said the security forces had caused the "maximum injury" to Kashmir's Muslims in the last two decades, and called their attempts to repair and renovate Islamic holy sites a conspiracy that people should resist with "iron hands".

He said if the fatwa was ignored it would be treated as an "undue interference in our religious affairs".

The army says it has spent about 5.2 million rupees in three years to renovate mosques and shrines across Kashmir, as part of its campaign to win the "hearts and minds" of the people here.

According to Lieutenant Colonel A.K. Mathur, the people have welcomed army initiatives to improve and beautify shrines.

Under a programme named "Sadbhavna", the army has also built schools and bus stations in Kashmir.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the leader of the hardline faction of the All Party Hurriyat Conference, has called for peaceful protests on Friday against what he called the army's intervention in religious affairs.

ANI