Irrfan Khan has landed himself in hot water after he was quoted by major Indian publications as criticising the Islamic tradition of fasting during Ramazan and the sacrificing of animals during Eidul Azha.
Surprisingly, although he allegedly made these remarks during a promotional event for his upcoming film, there was no video proof corroborating the quotes attributed to him. After thorough search, we did find a video of the actor talking about the aforementioned topic, however, it seems he may have been misquoted.
According to India Today, not only did Irrfan say that Muslims shouldn’t fast during the Holy month, he mistook Muharram for Eidul Azha, claiming that animals are slaughtered during Muharram.
“Rather than fasting during Ramazan, people should self-introspect. Animals are being slaughtered [in] the name of qurbaani during Muharram. We, Muslims, have made a mockery of Muharram. It is meant for mourning and what [do] we do? Take out (tajiya) processions,” India Today reported the Piku actor as saying during a promotional event for Madaari.
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Irrfan’s look from Madaari. PHOTO: TIMESOFINDIA
And here’s what he actually said:
“The meaning of Qurbani is sacrificing something close to you not throwing money at any goat or sheep you see in the market… Because that way you are just spending money and it has nothing to do with personal sacrifice. You only understand the true meaning of sacrifice and why it has been asked if you sacrifice something you love dearly.”
“In the early days of Islam, a lot of people were deprived of food and cattle were the prime source to feed them, hence their sacrifice had meaning.”
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In regards to Muharram, the actor doesn’t seem to be confusing it with Eidul Azha, but on a different tangent, he said that instead of a period of mourning, people are treating it as a celebration.
“People have started celebrating Muharram. In reality it is a period of mourning for those who had sacrificed their lives. It is a time to remember them in your prayers not take out (tajiya) processions. People have made a circus out of it,” Irrfan said.
Watch and judge for yourself.
Muslim clerics in India have slammed the actor over his apparently controversial remarks. Maulana Abdul Wahid Khatri, state secretary of Jamaat-e-Ulema-e-Hind, has advised him to concentrate on his film career, and not interfere in religious issues.
“It would be better if he concentrates on his film career and not make random statements about our religion. He is doing this just for the publicity of his upcoming movie,” Khatri said.
“He should keep his mouth shut as he has no knowledge about the religion,” said Sher Qazi Khalid Usmani, Jaipur’s Shaher Qazi (chief jurist).
