Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A major controversy has erupted in Kerala after Perambra MLA Fatima Thahliya, the first woman legislator from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), lit a traditional nilavilakku (lamp) during the inauguration of a restaurant in her constituency in Kozhikode district recently.
The incident sparked debate within Kerala‘s Muslim socio-political circles over whether Muslims, particularly public representatives, should participate in ceremonies traditionally associated with other religions.
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The act drew criticism from the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, a leading Sunni-Shafi body of Islamic scholars in the state.
In a statement issued following discussions on the issue, the Samastha Central Mushawara said Muslims should avoid participating in ceremonies and practices that are not rooted in Islamic teachings and are observed by followers of other religions as part of their religious traditions.
The organisation noted that the lighting of a nilavilakku has historically been practised by non-Muslims as a distinct religious ceremony and urged Muslims to exercise caution while also maintaining communal harmony.
Addressing the controversy, Samastha leader Abdul Hameed Faizy Ambalakkadavu reiterated the body’s position through a Facebook post.
He stressed that Islam encourages cordial relations and tolerance towards people of other faiths but draws a clear distinction when it comes to adopting religious practices.
“Islamic laws are precise, clear and explicit. Islam strictly instructs believers to show friendship and tolerance towards followers of other faiths. The companions of the Prophet would instruct their families that when a goat was slaughtered and cooked, the first portion should be given to a Jewish neighbour,” news agency PTI quoted Faizy as saying.
“However, Islam has imposed a strong prohibition on following and practising the rituals of other religions,” he added.
Referring to the ruling issued by the Central Mushawara, Faizy said the matter had been examined in detail and a clear position had been communicated.
According to the statement, “If a Muslim engages in such a practice while accepting and basing it upon the Islam-opposed beliefs associated with it by those who perform the ritual, such an act would amount to leaving the fold of Islam.”
It further stated: “On the other hand, if it is done without accepting or basing it upon such beliefs, but merely as an act of resembling non-Muslims, then the act is prohibited and sinful.”
However, the body clarified that using a nilavilakku solely as a source of illumination is permissible.
It also appealed to the public to handle such issues carefully while preserving social harmony and communal unity.
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTS
Meanwhile, Samastha’s agitation against the IUML MLA lighting the lamp did not sit well with social media users, many of whom argued that performing the ritual is not against Islam.
“Lighting the inaugural lamp is not at all h***m. Such lamps ive seen in many Indian Masjids. Muslims should be proud that a Muslim daughter has attended this function,” wrote Sirajuddin Shaikh, a user on Facebook.
“From when did lighting a lamp have become anti-Islamic..? Matlab kuch bhi,” wrote one Omair Alam.
Many other users also maintained that the particular ritual should not be considered a taboo for anyone as lamps are lit at many mosques and dargahs.
WHO IS FATHIMA THAHLIYA?
Fathima Thahliya created history by becoming the first woman MLA elected on an Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) ticket to the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
A lawyer by training, she began her political journey through the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) at Kozhikode Law College and later emerged as a prominent leader of Haritha, the women’s wing of the MSF.
She previously served as national vice-president of the MSF and is currently an office-bearer of the Youth League.
Thahliya also represents Kuttichira ward in the Kozhikode Corporation as a councillor.
Her election victory in Perambra marked a major political upset. Contesting from a constituency long considered a Left stronghold, she defeated senior CPM leader and former minister TP Ramakrishnan by 5,087 votes.
The result reversed the CPM’s dominance in Perambra, where Ramakrishnan had won the previous two elections and secured a majority of over 22,000 votes in the last Assembly polls.
– Ends
With PTI inputs
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
