Bollywood eminent writer Javed Akhtarreceived death threats through e-mails and telephone for expressing his views on Muslim community. Javed Akhtar
expressed his views on the fatwa that was issued recently. Confirming the report, Javed said, “Yes, that is true and I am filing a complaint with the Mumbai police.” He was recently nominated Rajya Sabha member.
The Muslims have recently issued a fatwa prohibiting Muslim men and women from working together in offices, saying Muslim men should not live on their wife’s salaries and most recently, prohibiting Muslims from opting for life insurance.
Like many famous Muslims, Javed Akhtar has also expressed his views. Though the writer denied to divulge any further details, some news channels reported that he might have been threatened by persons in favor of Darul-Uloom Deoband, an apex body of the Deobandi sect of the Sunni Muslims.
On issuing the fatwa, a Muslim scholar, Mohammed F. Ghosi commented, “Contrary to general perceptions, these edicts are not binding on the people at large, it is up to the people to choose and decide whether to follow them (the edicts). The ‘fatwa’ is merely showing what the Muslim Shariat Law stands for on any particular issue”.
On reference to Akhtar’s comment, Ghosi urged the lyricist first to enquire on the authenticity of the edicts and then comment.