UP: Once again, a cleric releases a fatwa urging Muslims to abstain from New Year’s celebrations.

UP: Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat (AIMJ), has once again issued a fatwa advising Muslims in India not to celebrate the New Year because it is against Sharia law.

Sharia is the Islamic moral and legal code that regulates both religious duties and day-to-day activities. It is based on the teachings of the Quran and the customs of the Prophet.

Maulana Razvi said in the fatwa that as singing and dancing are totally forbidden in Islam, New Year’s festivities are also forbidden.

He warned Muslim youngsters to avoid these festivities, stating that such actions are illegal under Shariat.

In an interview with IANS, Razvi stated: “Sharia prohibits celebrating the New Year. New Year’s festivities take place on the evening of December 31 and include a variety of unlawful activities, including dancing, singing, performances, drinking, chaos, misbehavior, and other immoral behaviors. All of these things are prohibited by Islam.

He went on to say that Muslims are not allowed to celebrate the New Year since it is fundamentally a Christian holiday.

According to the fatwa, Christians commemorate the first day of the year as a religious observance as the New Year starts in January, which also marks the beginning of the English calendar year.

“I would want to ask all young men and women to refrain from celebrating the New Year or going to any such gathering. They will be held accountable if they do. This civilization is European, not Indian or Islamic. Chaitra marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year, whereas Muharram marks the beginning of the Muslim New Year. For this reason, I want to strongly advise everyone against embracing European customs,” he said.

The AIMJ head has already issued a fatwa of this kind. Razvi had advised Muslim youngsters not to take part in New Year’s festivities last year as well.