No more political Iftars

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Warangal: Though the model poll code has come in the way of hosting political Iftar parties this year, a large group from the city’s Muslim community would have anyway boycotted them had there been any during the holy month of Ramzan.
In the aftermath of last year’s debate on the pros and cons of attending political Iftar parties, funded with Haram (illegally earned) income, the Warangal chapter of the Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind had planned to obtain a fatwa against political Iftars from Darul Uloom Deoband in Saharanpur, the headquarters of Deobandi school of thought.
However, the model poll code in the state announced by the State Election Commission, since July 3, has forced leaders to drop their plans as the former itself is taking care of political Iftars, which are often organised on a grand scale, by politicians of different parties, and seen as a platform to woo Muslim community members.
“While politicisation of Iftars serve the purpose of the leaders, those who attend these events, to break their fast in the holy month, are forced to eat food bought with Haram (illegally earned) income obtained through settlement, bribe, corruption or liquor outlets,” explained Mohd Wajeed, city president of Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind, who had planned to get a fatwa from Darul Uloom Deoband on ‘political Iftars’.
It is significant to note that many educated and devout Muslims who attend such political Iftar parties, due to unavoidable circumstances, do not accept the food offered to break their fast, but carry their own food to such events. They can be seen carrying small items like packets of dates (Khajoor) in their pockets.
Incidentally, the ban on political Iftars, brought in by the model election code of conduct, is said to have affected the chances of a section of followers, of the minority leaders, belonging to different political parties to make some quick money.
“In the name of hosting Iftar parties, a good number of followers of so called minority leaders, belonging to different political parties, often collect ‘Haram’ money from politicians without understanding their adverse consequences,” said Mohd Hafiz, who condemned the practice of seeking donations from politicians to host Iftar parties.