Outrage for nothing: no fatwa issued against Nahid Afrin

Nahid Afrin, the teenaged runner-up to Indian Idol, does not have a fatwa threatening her life, recent reports clarify. The misreporting and misinterpretation led to major outrage.

Yesterday, social media and TV news channels went overboard discussing the fatwa issued against Afrin, an Assam-based 16-year-old singer. Some reports suggested that the 46 “mullahs”, who were responsible for the fatwa, banned the talented Afrin from participating in an upcoming event in Hojai, Assam. Others claimed that she was being targeted for singing “anti-ISIS” songs.

In reality, the 46 men mentioned had actually printed leaflets asking people living in Hojai to boycott the musical event, which was to be held on March 25, where Afrin was to sing.

The leaflet claims that the event, which they called “anti-Sharia”, was to happen in a place “surrounded by masjids, idgahs, madrassas and graveyards”. In a bid to appeal to followers, the writers also profess that if children are not kept away “from such things, Allah will not spare any of us”.

As the photograph of the leaflet started going viral just hours after the earlier news made headlines, reports emerged stating that it wasn't a fatwa. In fact, Afrin's name was not even mentioned throughout the text.

Before the clarification, social media erupted, with even the Assam's chief minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, condemning the issue on Twitter. He claimed, in a tweet, that he has spoked to Afrin and “reiterated our Govt's commitment to provide safety and security to artists". Writer Taslima Nasreen, who is familiar with the struggle against fatwas, and composer Vishal Dadlani, put out tweets of condemnation.

Others spoke up for her and praised her “bravery” for refusing to quit singing.

Eventually, social media turned against media houses for “spreading fake news”. One user claimed to have spoken to one of the people who issued the pamphlet.

But in general, as #NahidAfrin trends on Twitter, most users are still unaware that the news of fatwa was fake. Some people are still expressing their outrage.

According to reports, Afrin said that she hadn't known about the fatwa until it made news. She added, however, that “local clerics” had expressed their disapproval towards her participation in Indian Idol.

Maulvi Fazlul Karim Qasimi of the Assam State Jamiat Ulama also dismissed the claim that a fatwa had been issued. He clarified that it was an appeal.