Indian Muslim News - ISSUES

Cleric under fire for planning daughter’s wedding on Dec 6

By Virendra Nath Bhatt

With various Muslim bodies in favour of observing December 6, the day the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992, as a day of mourning, a prominent Muslim cleric’s decision to solemnise his daughter’s wedding on the day has stirred a hornet’s nest. Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, prominent Shia cleric and Imma-e-Juma of Lucknow, who leads the Friday prayer in historic Asifi mosque, has come under fire from a section of the clergy for his decision.

Defending the decision, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, vice president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said, “One can not retain the memory of a tragedy for the whole life. Indeed, the demolition of the mosque was a tragedy but why should the essential works of life and society be suspended on that day every year?”

He also pointed out that December 6, the18th day of the month of Bakr-Id, as per the Islamic calendar is a auspicious day for the Shia’s, celebrated across the world as ‘Eid-e-gadeer’. On this day Prophet Mohammed had performed the last pilgrimage (Haj) of his life and had declared Hazrat Ali as his successor.

Maulana Jawwad is not alone in holding the ceremony on the said date. Bilal, son of a Sunni Muslim cleric and member of AIMPLB Maulana Sajjad Nomani is holding his Dawat-e-walima (reception) on December 6. “I reject this black day and mourning day with the contempt it deserves. A particular date has no significance in Islam. There are other much more important issues before the Muslim community and the whole country and it would be better if we focus our attention on them”, said Maulana Sajjad Nomani.

(Courtesy: Indian Express)