Mrs. Usha Thakur, a legislator from Indore and the BJP’s and state vice president of the ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh had warned or suggested sometimes ago that Muslims should be barred from the “Garba.” For the benefit of uniformed reader anywhere, Garba is a traditional dance in which boys and girls enjoy the body gyrations spiritually with the approval of religion, parents and society. It originates from Gujarat and it quite popular in Maharashtra and sundry other places. The Garba Dance Festival runs for weeks and it is to be held in several northern states in October this year. According to the legislator, the decision is based on a meeting of “intellectuals” – including doctors, engineers and a senior police officer – during the festival season last year.
And here is her unsubstantiated claim made on TV: “We have got data that during the Garba, on an average, four lakh girls convert to Islam every year. So we have started this awareness drive. It has been seen that people who have no faith or devotion to the festival put tilak and wear sacred thread and practice Garba and during that time woo our girls. To stop this alleged “Love Jihad”, festival organisers must check IDs at the gates.”
The BJP has distanced itself from Ms Thakur’s controversial move, which has been condemned by the opposition Congress.
And now we have firebrand VHP leader Pravin Togadia promulgating a Firman that Muslims must not be allowed inside the Garba events and insisted identity cards of each and every person be checked for participants in and visitors to such events. “”We must be alert so that not a single Muslim person can enter in our Garba festival. Identity cards of each and every person must be checked at every Garba event. Navratri is the festival of Mother Amba’s prayers and worship, so we cannot allow beef-eating Muslims to enter into Garba places.” Togadia said in Amreli town n Saurashtra.
Thank you RSS, Mr Togadia, Mrs. Usha Thakur and every Tom, Harry and Dick who wants to advance his / her opinion about ‘Love Jihad’ and Muslim’s attitude in regard to ‘Mix Sex Celebration.’ In fact, as parents, are grateful to them. It is a blessing in disguise for us. Part of my argument I’ve already presented in my article “Love Jihad’ in ‘IndiaOpine’ a few weeks passed. Let the RSS know, if it is not already informed, that as a general principle, Muslim men and women are ordained to minimize casual mixing of the sexes in society, emphasizing strong adherence to the marital bond. Dating, mixed sex dancing, or any form of premarital intimacy are not allowed in Islam. Consequently, conscientious Muslim students are likely not to participate in proms and dances or similar events. In terms of mixing in physical education classes, segregated sports and activities are preferred. Islam places great emphasis on modesty in dress and behavior for both sexes. Men and women are expected to dress in clothing that does not reveal the features of the body. Muslims of both sexes are required to be modest even in front of persons of the same sex. Therefore, situations requiring nudity in front of others, such as swimming in a public pool or taking showers in an open area devoid of partitions or curtains is disallowed.
Now, let us consider the the specific issue of ‘Dance’ – Garba Tango, Waltz and, Gallopade. Can’t include Belly where the dancer gives a solo performance. Men and Women could mix freely enjoying dance without inhibitions.
No Sir, we are not the partner of any of these activities, according to my religion. Any individual taking part does it on his / her volition. Islam is a religion of moderation and does not approve of either extremism or negligence. It does not prevent people from having entertainment; however, it provides the rules that regulate this entertainment. At the same time, Islam does not tolerate any kind of entertainment that contains haram (unlawful) or even leads to haram behavior.
Dancing can be either between women, between men, or mixed between both sexes. It is allowed for women to dance together unless it involves revealing any of the woman’s `awrah – that is, the parts of the body between the navel and the knee – in front of other women. It is also allowed unless the dancing means that mandatory obligations will not be carried out or if it coincides with unlawful acts.
In this regard, Dr. Su’ad Salih, professor of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) at Al-Azhar University , states,
Islam does not prevent singing and dancing, but it forbids anything that stimulates people’s desires, whether it be among men or women. Women are supposed to observe good manners if they dance in front of other women. They should not exceed the limits by doing anything that stimulates desires and incites evil. There are many cases where women are tempted by other women.
However, if a woman dances in front of her husband, then there is no restriction, as it is a way of cementing relations between spouses – and this a key pillar of establishing the Muslim family.
Moreover, Dr. Salim Ahmad Salamah, Dean of the Faculty of Usul Ad-Deen at the Islamic University, Gaza , adds, “It is permissible for women to dance and sing as long as there are no males around. In addition, the words of the song should be free from any foul words or vulgarity. Thus, as long as the words of the song are pure and clean and there are no males, there is nothing wrong in dancing.
By analogy, men are allowed to dance together as long as they cover their `awrah (the parts of the body between the navel and the knee) and there is no fear of temptation.
Men and women dancing together is absolutely haram in all cases, except when a wife dances in front of her husband. The reason behind this prohibition is that with mixed dancing bodily contact is close and improper sexual desires are aroused. This has been strictly forbidden by Islam in an attempt to block the way against evil. If men and women were permitted to dance together, a lot of haram acts could occur. That is why mixed dancing is not allowed.
We’re not offended all. Instead we are delighted and obliged. Please check with the Indian Constitution and do the needful. Article 15 of the Indian Constitution gives the right to equality, irrespective of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. We’re with you!
Sep 15th, 2014
