Muslims should avoid eating prawns, says a fatwa

Hyderabad-based Islamic seminary Jamia Nizamia has issued a `fatwa' that Muslims should avoid eating prawns.

Prawns do not fall into the category of fish, and their consumption should be avoided, it said.

Some foods fall into the `prohibited' category for Muslims, while prawns fall in `avoidable' category, it said.

Jamia Nizamia, a century-old seminary, is a highly-respected Islamic institution in the city.

Fatwa is a legal pronouncement based on the Islamic law, issued usually when someone seeks to know the legal position on a particular issue.