Un-Islamic or intolerance? Debate on Sufi songs hits discordant notes
KOZHIKODE: A Salafi group has lashed out at the growing popularity of Sufi songs in Kerala, branding them un-Islamic and the major source of moral degeneration among the youth.
'Sufi songs that destroy the religion' was the most recent topic of discussion on Proof Point, the online platform of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, where Salafi scholars talk on current issues.
The scholars asserted that many un-Islamic ideas are being smuggled into Sufi songs in the name of artistic expression. 'Organisations such as the Samastha and the Jama'at-e-Islami are promoting it by arranging special sessions at their programmes,' Shuraih Salafi said during the discussion.
He said Sufism is the tool developed by Shias to destroy Islam from within. They are promoting a spirituality that is prohibited in Islam and the Sufi claim that there is no difference between Allah and the individual amounts to 'shirk' (polytheism).
'The popularity of Sufi songs has seen the emergence of new musicians. They are being promoted as representatives of Islam because they appear in Islamic attire,' Salafi said. 'On the other side, youths are running after rappers. Thousands are jostling to listen to people who do gimmicks on stage, without even proper dress,' he said.
'They don't get the beauty...'
Speaking to TNIE, Sufi musician Nazar Malik said Salafis cannot understand the beauty of Islam because they practice a dry religion. 'I think the Wisdom group started their attack on Sufi music by playing one of my songs at their conference in 2022, without my consent. The song was on Imam Hussain, the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Salafis are intolerant even to the family of the Prophet,' Malik said.
'Karbala, where Imam Hussain was murdered, was the theme of many songs of the Muslim families of Kerala. Many virtues of traditional Islam have disappeared with the advent of the Salafis,' he said.
Malik said his music is his spiritual expression and no one has the right to oppose it. 'The Salafis attack us ideologically in places where they have no majority and no power. They would have done something else if they had power in Kerala. Even without power, they destroyed a dargah at Nadukani in Malappuram.'
He said Sufi musicians have done nothing harmful, unlike the Salafi preachers, whose irresponsible speeches have become an easy tool for those attacking Islam. 'On the one hand, you see the Sangh parivar coming out against Vedan, the rapper. Here, Salafis are jumping on us,' Malik added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
SC declines to interfere with nod for animal sacrifice at Kolhapur fort dargah
The Supreme Court on Friday declined to interfere with a prior judicial order that allowed animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha and urs (annual gathering) at a Sufi shrine within the Vishalgad Fort precincts in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district. A bench of justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma said there was no urgency in hearing the matter, particularly since the Bombay high court's order imposed conditions on the religious rituals. When counsel opposing the high court's order argued that Vishalgad Fort is a protected monument under state law, the bench pointed out that religious practices are routinely observed in protected monuments across the country. On June 4, the Bombay high court permitted animal sacrifice for the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha and the urs. It clarified that the permission extended not just to the Dargah (shrine) Trust but also to individual devotees participating in the religious observances. The high court was hearing an interlocutory application filed by the Hajrat Peer Malik Rehan Mira Saheb Dargah Trust, which challenged a directive issued by the deputy director of archaeology prohibiting animal sacrifice within the fort premises. Noting that a coordinate bench ruled on the issue earlier this month, the high court held: 'Considering the fact that a coordinate bench of this court in its order dated June 14, 2024, has already dealt with the issue and permitted prayer A of the present interlocutory application, the same shall continue for the festival of Bakrid [Eid al-Adha], which is on June 7, and the urs from June 8 to 12.' The June 14, 2024, order imposed specific conditions on the animal sacrifices, stating they must take place only in private, enclosed premises, specifically at Gate No 19, which is privately owned by Shri Mubarak Usman Mujawar, and not in any public area. The high court emphasised that these conditions must be strictly followed. During the hearing before the high court, the Dargah Trust informed the court that police were not allowing access to the dargah after 5pm. The court replied that this issue would be addressed by the regular court. The dispute began in 2023 when the Dargah Trust approached the court after the deputy director of archaeology prohibited animal sacrifices within the fort, citing the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. The authorities reportedly relied on a 1998 ruling by the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court, which held that animal sacrifice in the name of gods or goddesses in public places was strictly prohibited. In response, the trust contended that the sacrifices are part of an 'age-old practice' conducted on private land, approximately 1.4 km from the fort, and that the meat is distributed to pilgrims and local villagers. Despite the deputy director's prohibition, the trust maintained that its religious practices were not conducted in public spaces or on protected land.
NDTV
21 hours ago
- NDTV
Despite Pak Pressure, Malaysia Warmly Welcomed Indian Delegation: BJP MP Hemang Joshi To NDTV
New Delhi: In a major diplomatic success for India, Malaysia extended a warm and official welcome to an Indian parliamentary delegation despite behind-the-scenes pressure from Pakistan, said BJP MP Dr Hemang Joshi in an exclusive conversation with NDTV after returning from a five-nation visit. Dr Joshi, part of the multi-party delegation that toured Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, revealed that Pakistan made indirect attempts to derail the Malaysian leg of the tour, but failed to achieve any disruption. "We had ten programmes scheduled in Malaysia and completed all of them as planned," he said. "Despite it being a national holiday on the King's birthday, we were able to meet the Malaysian Speaker and leaders from all major political parties." Malaysia, Indonesia Reject Pakistan's Terror Narrative Dr Joshi said the visit was particularly significant in Muslim-majority nations like Malaysia and Indonesia, where Pakistan has historically tried to influence public perception against India. "Pakistan's propaganda found no takers. Both countries made it clear that terrorism and violence have no place in Islam and condemned any justification of terror in the name of religion," he said. He noted that the positive response from Malaysian counterparts exceeded expectations, especially considering Islamabad's confidence that the Indian delegation would be sidelined. Pakistan's Reaction "Proof of Our Success" Following the delegation's engagements in Malaysia, Pakistan issued an official press release in protest-something Dr Joshi described as a confirmation of India's effective outreach. "Their press release only shows they were shaken by our success. It's a clear indication that we made a strong impact," he told NDTV. The delegation also sought support from Malaysia on issues like India's case at the FATF and the OIC, where Pakistan has consistently attempted to push anti-India resolutions. "Rahul Gandhi's Statements Embolden Pakistan" Dr Joshi also launched a strong political attack back home, targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He accused Mr Gandhi of making remarks that damage India's image and are celebrated more in Pakistan than in India. "It is shameful. His words hurt the morale of our armed forces and citizens alike. We've urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to guide him on basic parliamentary conduct," Dr Joshi said. The five-nation tour is part of India's growing effort to build international consensus against terrorism, while countering Pakistan's narrative across diplomatic and global platforms.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
a day ago
- First Post
'Afghan out' drive in Pakistan, Iran pushes over 600,000 back to Taliban regime
More than 135,000 Afghans left the country in April, followed by 67,000 in May, and more than 3,000 in just the first two days of June. Since the repatriation drive began in November 2023, more than one million Afghans have returned from Pakistan read more Afghan refugee children huddle around a fire for warmth in a camp on the Afghan side of the Torkham border. Image: Ebrahim Noroozi/ AP Photo Pakistan has ramped up efforts to force out Afghan nationals from the country, as data from the country's interior ministry shows that over 200,000 people have been deported since April. On top of this, Iran has also begun expelling Afghans from the country, raising concerns over the Taliban's ability to manage the influx of people amid an already battered economy. More than 135,000 Afghans left the country in April, followed by 67,000 in May, and more than 3,000 in just the first two days of June. Since the repatriation drive began in November 2023, more than one million Afghans have returned from Pakistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Some 600,000 Afghans have travelled to Pakistan since the Taliban took over and implemented their austere version of Islam. However, Islamabad wants over 800,000 Afghanistan citizens to return home after revoking their residency permits. This whopping group includes Afghans born and raised in Pakistan. One of the reasons why the country has waged an 'Afghan out' campaign is its alleged links to terrorism. The number of returnees has slowed ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday later this week, but some Afghans were still crossing the main border points from Pakistan on Wednesday. 'We left behind our orchards' and livelihoods, 21-year-old farmer Mohammad Wali told AFP near the southern Spin Boldak crossing. 'But we said to ourselves, 'If we stay, maybe one day we'll lose our dignity,' so it's better to return to our homeland now.' The UN's International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday voiced concern over a surge in Afghan families being deported from Iran, recording 15,675 crossing in May, a more than two-fold increase from the previous month. Iran orders Afghans to leave Meanwhile, Tehran has started its own campaign of driving out Afghans from the country. People from Afghanistan have till July 6 to leave Iran, the country's interior ministry said. Nader Yarahmadi, from the Iranian interior ministry, said on state television that it would affect around four million of the more than six million Afghans who Iran says are in the country. The IOM said the influx across both borders threatens to strain Afghanistan's already 'fragile reception and reintegration systems'. It again called for 'all countries to immediately suspend the forced return of Afghans, regardless of their immigration status, until safe, voluntary, and dignified return conditions are in place'. How many Afghans live in Pak? According to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, there are 2.18 million documented Afghan refugees in Pakistan. This includes the 1.3 million refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards as per the census carried out in 2006-07, as well as an additional 8,80,000 refugees granted ACCs following a registration drive in 2017. With inputs from agencies
