Fatwa issued against Thalapathy Vijay over Iftar, sparks political row

A fatwa has been issued against actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay after he hosted an Iftar gathering in Chennai during Ramzan. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, accuses Vijay of using the Muslim community for political gain, claiming his past portrayal of Muslims in films as terrorists has damaged his credibility.

Fatwa from Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi

Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi criticized Vijay’s political move, saying, "There is a prominent personality from Tamil Nadu named Vijay Thalapathy, who has formed a party called TVK. Now, he wants to transition from the film industry to politics. During his time in the film industry, he portrayed Muslims as terrorists in several of his films, attempting to defame Muslims in various ways." Razvi continued, “Now, he is trying to present a political face and make his way into the Muslim community, and now taking his brave face, he is going into the culture, trying to make a space for himself in this community and wants to be together with the Muslim community.”

What is a Fatwa?

A fatwa is a legal opinion or ruling issued by an Islamic scholar or religious authority based on Islamic law (Sharia). While fatwas are not legally binding, they hold moral and social influence in Muslim communities. In this case, the fatwa is a response to Vijay's actions and aims to guide the Muslim community on how to view his political engagement.

Accusations of Negative Portrayal

Razvi’s concerns are focused on Vijay’s past film roles, which he believes have negatively portrayed Muslims. "Vijay's films have often been criticized for their portrayal of Muslims as terrorists," Razvi said. He believes Vijay's attempts to connect with the Muslim community are driven by political interests, not genuine outreach.

Political and Religious Implications

The fatwa has sparked debate about the role of politics in religious matters. Critics argue that Vijay’s actions are politically motivated, rather than a genuine effort to engage with the community. “While Vijay’s gathering may appear to be a goodwill gesture, it raises concerns about the role of politics in religious occasions,” one critic said. The public is waiting for Vijay’s response to the fatwa and the growing accusations.