The All India Muslim Jamaat, under the leadership of its National President Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, has issued a fatwa discouraging Muslims from celebrating New Year, labelling it as a practice inconsistent with Islamic teachings. The announcement, made through Chashme Darfta Bareilly, stresses that New Year festivities align with the Christian calendar and are therefore deemed inappropriate for Muslims.
As per a report by the Business Today, Maulana Razvi, while addressing the directive, stated, “Celebrating the New Year is neither a source of pride nor worthy of congratulations. It signifies the beginning of the Christian calendar year, which is a non-religious practice and strictly prohibited for Muslims.”
The fatwa particularly advises Muslim youth to avoid participating in New Year celebrations, emphasising that such practices contradict Islamic principles and values. The directive underscores the importance of preserving religious identity and resisting traditions that are considered alien to Islamic culture.
This statement reflects the Jamaat’s broader stance on maintaining Islamic customs and traditions while urging the community to refrain from adopting practices rooted in non-Islamic ideologies.
This announcement has sparked varied reactions, with some viewing it as a reinforcement of religious adherence, while others see it as a restriction on cultural expression.
