Fatwa against Kashmir's first girls' rock band

A day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah came out in support of Kashmir’s first all-girls rock band, which is facing online threats and abuses, state government-backed Grand Mufti (head priest) Mufti Bashir-ud-Din issued a fatwa on Sunday.

Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani also criticised the chief minister for his assertions on the issue, saying Omar backed the rock band “because the dynasty he belongs to has since long dissociated itself from Islamic and ethical values.”

Mufti Bashir confirmed that he has issued a decree against the band saying music is not good for society and they (girls) should inculcate “better values” within themselves.

“Yes, I issued the fatwa. All the bad things happening in the Indian society are because of music,” he said. “They (girls) should stop from such activities and not get influenced by the support of political leadership.” Reacting to the fatwa Omar tweeted: “Given the importance people attach to the fatwas of the Grand Mufti the less said the better.”

Geelani was surprised over Omar’s support to the band and stated: “Though in a civilised society there is no place for coercion and force, yet there are some values a citizen has to adopt to safeguard the ethical, moral and religious traditions.

“It is a matter of concern for us the way Omar backed the rock band because the dynasty he belongs to has since long disassociated itself from Islamic and ethical values and the dynasty members even adopted the customs in marital relations quite opposite to Islam and history of Kashmir,” he added.

Referring to the threats received by the band, he said: “It is not good. Parents should have rectified the things and advised their daughters that their activities are not as per ethics of Islam, culture and our unique identity.”

The girls, vocalist-guitarist Noma Nazir (16), drummer Farah Deeba and guitarist Aneeka Khalid (both 15), who defied convention to form the rock band “Pragaash” (darkness to light), have stopped live shows in the wake of the online threats.

The chief minister backed the band saying it was a matter of shame that those who demand freedom of speech on social media networks, use it to threaten the girls.

“I dnt undrstand why Kashmiris r creating hurdles for PRAGAASH girls. At least they r doing better thn wt we usually see on KAESHIRR (local) channels...,” wrote Zehra Shafi, a journalism student on her Facebook wall which attracted a lot of comments.