Nahid Afrin. Pic/YouTube
Forty-six Muslim clerics in Assam have issued a fatwa against singer Nahid Afrin, asking her to stop performing in public. Afrin was the first runner-up in the 2015 season of the popular musical reality TV show Indian Idol Junior.
According to a report in Times of India, cops are probing whether the fatwa was a reaction to Nahid performing songs against terrorism. “We are looking at this angle as well,” ADG (special branch) Pallab Bhattacharya told the paper.
The report added that leaflets with the fatwa in Assamese as well as the names of clerics were distributed in central Assam on Tuesday. The fatwa stated that a March 25 programme at Udali Sonai Bibi College in Assam, where Nahid 16 is scheduled to perform is “against the Sharia”.
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“If anti-Sharia acts like musical nights are held on grounds surrounded by masjids, idgahs, madrassas and graveyards, our future generations will attract the wrath of Allah,” the fatwa stated
Reacting to the development, the singer told the paper, “I am speechless. I think my music is God’s gift to me. I will never bow down to it and never leave singing.”
Her mother was quoted as saying, “The organisers of the musical night told us that the programme on March 25 will not be cancelled.” Cops meanwhile assured security cover to Nahid and her family.
Speaking to the media, Afrin said, “I was broken completely after hearing about the ‘fatwa’. But I am not going to stop singing. I have received hundreds of calls and messages from the people of Assam and different organisations supporting me.”
“Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal spoke to me and told me not to be afraid. He also assured me of security during the scheduled programme at Udali on March 25.
“I am a singer and music is my life. I don’t think I can survive without music. Allah has blessed me with this voice for singing, and I’ll die if I am not allowed to sing,” added Afrin.
Read Story: Deoband issues fatwa: Chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ un-Islamic
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday tweeted: “Freedom of artists are essence of democracy. Spoke to Nahid and reiterated our government’s commitment to provide safety and security to artists.”
Meanwhile, several organisations and individuals in Assam have come out to support the young singer and against the ‘fatwa’ issued against the singer and said that people of Assam will give security to her.
Nahid made her Bollywood debut singing for Sonakshi Sinha in the 2016 film ‘Akira’.
My singing is gift of God I believe it must be properly utilised,not doing so is ignoring God: Singer Nahid Afreen on fatwa against her pic.twitter.com/WVPsPIhb3z
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017
(With IANS inputs)
Twitter reactions
After getting fatwa from 46 mullahs in Assam,16 yrs old Nahid Afrin said she’ll never bow down and will never leave singing. Bravo girl!
— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) March 15, 2017
46 Muslim clerics have issued fatwa against Indian Idol Junior runner-up Nahid Afrin, banning her from singing on stage. Intolerance anyone?
— Amit Malviya (@malviyamit) March 15, 2017
We strongly condemn putting restrictions on performance by young talented singer Nahid Afrin by some organisations.
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 14, 2017
Islamic organizations issues fatwa to Indian Idol Junior runner-up Nahid Afrin,
banning her from singing on stage.
Are we in 7th Century?— Prashant Patel Umrao (@ippatel) March 15, 2017
People must start a protest against the organisation that’s not allowing Nahid Afrin to sing in Bihu. Should be claimed anti nationalist now
— aboyob bhuyan (@aboyobbhuyan) March 15, 2017
Fatwa against Nahid Afrin… But why now? Why after one year of the Indian Idol event? Fatwa can’t be accepted but I feel this is fake news.
— Queen Hazarika (@queenhazarika) March 15, 2017
After Silapathar incident, some organisations now issued fatwa against young singer Nahid Afrin. Don’t fear Nahid. We all are with you Nahid
— atanu bhuyan (@atanubhuyan) March 14, 2017
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