Pakistan issues ‘fatwa’ against voting for minority candidates in general elections

GG News Bureau
WASHINGTON, 22nd Jan. According to local news media in Pakistan on Sunday reported that the fatwa was issued by Jamia Uloom Islamia, in Jamia Binori Town, which is located near the Guru Mandir area is hateful and disturbing content targeting religious minorities has circulating in Pakistan, raised concerns ahead of the February 8 general elections.

A fatwa legal ruling by Islamic scholars issued by a Karachi-based seminary has resurfaced on Facebook and X platforms, suggested voters prefer Muslim candidates over the ones belongs to minorities.

The religious school is considered one of the most influential seminaries in the city.

Chaman Lal, a minority rights activist, shared an image of the undated decree on Facebook stating: “A Fatwa is issued that, it is permissible to take votes from the population of more than one million minorities, but today a fatwa has been issued that it is not permissible to vote for minority candidates in the general election.”

The Fatwa was released after the query: “Is it permitted under Islamic laws to vote for a non-Muslim candidate?”

The query added that a major political party had nominated a Hindu for the general seat in the presence of a better Muslim candidate even though there were reserved seats for non-Muslims.

“The public wants to know whether voting for a non-Muslim in this situation is permissible or not from the Islamic point of view, or is there a third option?” he said.

The fatwa said: “The vote should be given to a candidate who has the required qualifications and ability, his party manifesto must also be correct and about whom there’s satisfaction that he can take better steps for the people of their constituency, religiously and secularly. And because the non-Muslim candidate does not live up to these standards; it is better to vote for a Muslim candidate”, media reported.

Chaman Lal commented on the matter “When the constitution has given equal rights then those people who have worked for the betterment of their area and are willing to work more for the people of Pakistan, then why shouldn’t people cast their votes in favor of them even if they belong to minorities?”

“The world is running after technology while Pakistan is still stuck in religious issues is no doubt important but it is a personal matter. When it comes to the state then good candidates should come forward even if they belong to a minority community,” he was quoted in media saying.