There has been an outpour of support on Twitter for the Assamese teenage singer, Nahid Afrin, who has been threatened against performing again by a section of radical Muslim clerics. A group of 50 Muslim clerics have issued a fatwa (religious edict) against Afrin, a teenage sensation who managed a podium finish on the reality singing show Indian Idol Junior two years ago.
Sixteen-year-old Afrin has struck a defiant tone following calls of fatwa against her, remarking that she would “die” if she wasn’t allowed to sing. “Allah has blessed me with this voice for singing, and I’ll die if I am not allowed to sing.”
Afrin revealed that she had received hundreds of calls from sympathisers after the incident was highlighted in media.
Assam’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the religious edict against Nahid, tweeting out that the state government would provide security to the teenage singer.
Freedom of artists are essence of democracy. Spoke to Nahid and reiterated our Govt’s commitment to provide safety and security to artists.
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 14, 2017
(Source: Sarbananda Sonowal/Twitter)
We strongly condemn putting restrictions on performance by young talented singer Nahid Afrin by some organisations.
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 14, 2017
(Source: Sarbananda Sonowal/Twitter)
Sonowal’s colleague in the BJP’s Delhi unit, Shazia Ilmi, expressed solidarity with Nahid too,
Nahid Afreen is a brave girl. All of us should raise our voice in her support! Down with Fatwa-espousing irrelevant Radicals.
— shazia ilmi (@shaziailmi) March 15, 2017
(Source: Shazia Ilmi/Twitter)
Clearly, Twitter wasn’t amused by the Muslim clerics,
Correct me if I am wrong but don’t the azaans that happen on loud speakers 5 times a day is also spoken/sung in a tune? It sounds so. #fatwa pic.twitter.com/Coc1rgrBgS
— shilpi tewari (@shilpitewari) March 15, 2017
(Source: Twitter/Shilpi Tewari)
Some Twitter users even questioned why there hadn’t been any such controversy over legendary singers such as Mohammad Rafi and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
#Fatwa against child singer #NahidAfreen If singing is anti #Sharia does that mean #Rafi #Nusrat … are in #hell? pic.twitter.com/mBD9Hmp5CS
— Rakesh Anand Bakshi (@RakBak16) March 15, 2017
(Source: Twitter/ Rakesh Anand Bakshi)
Pakistani-Canadian talk show host Tarek Fatah lauded the girl for her courage.
46 Indian Mullahs threaten 16-year-old Muslim singer with a ‘Fatwa’. She responds: “I will nvr bow down” to Mullahs “will nvr leave singing” pic.twitter.com/KOAtOHCLfU
— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) March 15, 2017
(Source: Tarek Fatah/Twitter)
A Twitter user even mocked the religious preachers, saying they were their own enemies.
These Mullahs do not need enemies, they themselves are enemies. Gradually they will make fun of themselves. pic.twitter.com/kJAJspIZkp
— Nazim Naqvi (@NazemNaqvi) March 15, 2017
(Source: Nazim Naqvi/Twitter)
There are conflicting reports, however, as to what irked the preachers in the first place. News agency ANI noted that the preachers were objecting to Afrin’s upcoming performance on Thursday, which is scheduled to happen in Udali town of central Assam. It is being reported that the venue of this performance is next to both a graveyard and mosque, which some community leaders found objectionable. According to news agency IANS, the preachers are against singing, which they say is forbidden under the Sharia law.
Copyright © 2024 IE Online Media Services Private Ltd. All Rights Reserved.