Kashmir’s All Girls Band ‘Pragaash’ calls it quits after Grand Mufti's fatwa05/02/2013
The first all-girl band of Kashmir on Monday decided to call it quits in the wake of a 'fatwa' issued by Grand Mufti terming singing as un-islamic, a remark that came under all round attack. The girls had maintained silence all throughout the row, but source close to the band revealed that they have decided against future performances.
Kashmir's Grand Mufti (head priest) Bashiruddin on Sunday issued a fatwa on the band stating that "Girls are responsible for the rape. They should be in their limits. They must wear the veil at all times. They can sing inside their homes. They shouldn't sing in public. They are giving bad signals to men,". "Society cannot be built or developed by doing un-Islamic acts like singing. I have advised these girls, and other Muslims as well, to stay within the limits of modesty as prescribed for them," the Mufti added. He also blamed the government saying that it was "trying to encourage a shameless act". The 10th-class students -- vocalist-guitarist Noma Nazir, drummer Farah Deeba and guitarist Aneeka Khalid -- had formed a band 'Pragash' (light) and performed in December last year with a scintillating performance at the annual 'Battle of the Bands' competition in Srinagar and won the best performance award in their first public appearance. Within days after their performance in Srinagar, the band started receiving online threats and absurd comments which was followed up with a 'fatwa' (religious decree) issued by Grand Mufti. The girls had defied the convention by stepping into the male-dominated bastion and faced online threats and abuses from conservative sections of the society. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was among a large number of political leaders who gave their unflinching support to the girls, urging them not to quit singing because of a "bunch of morons". The Chief Minister criticised the people who were threatening the girls and promised a probe into the matter. Reference: Indian Express; IB Times
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