A prominent Muslim cleric from Uttar Pradesh has issued a religious decree, or fatwa, urging Muslims to refrain from celebrating the New Year on December 31st and January 1st. The directive labels these celebrations as a foreign cultural import with no place in Indian or Islamic tradition.
Fatwa Declares New Year Festivities 'Un-Islamic'
The fatwa was announced by Maulana Shahbuddin Razvi, who serves as the national chief of the All India Muslim Jamat. In his statement, Razvi categorically stated that marking the New Year on these specific dates is intrinsically linked to Western culture and not Indian. He emphasized that such observances have no foundation in Islamic teachings and should therefore be avoided by the Muslim community.
Rationale Behind the Religious Edict
The cleric's position is rooted in a perspective that views the Gregorian calendar's New Year as a non-indigenous practice. Razvi argues that participating in these celebrations amounts to adopting foreign customs, which he believes could dilute Islamic and Indian cultural identities. The announcement was made public on 29 December 2025, just days before the global celebrations were set to begin, aiming to provide guidance to the community ahead of the event.
Potential Impact and Community Response
While a fatwa is a non-binding religious opinion, it carries significant weight for many followers. This directive from a noted cleric in Uttar Pradesh, a state with a substantial Muslim population, is likely to influence the plans of a section of the community. It brings to the fore ongoing debates about cultural preservation, globalization, and religious observance in contemporary India. The move may lead to discussions within various community groups about balancing religious directives with participation in widespread secular events.
The fatwa underscores a continuing trend where religious leaders voice concerns over the influence of globalized Western practices. It remains to be seen how this guidance will be received on the ground as the New Year approaches.
