Fatwa Against Voting for Non-Muslim Candidates in Pakistan

Ahead of the February 8 general elections, hateful content targeting religious minorities has started circulating in Pakistan, reported The News International.

A fatwa was issued by a Karachi-based seminary, Jamia Uloom Islamia on Facebook and X platforms, asking voters to prefer Muslim candidates over the ones belonging to minorities.

Jamia Uloom Islamia is considered one of the most influential seminaries in Karachi.

Chaman Lal, a minority rights activist, shared an image of the undated decree on Facebook stating: “A Fatwa is issued that, it is permissible to take votes from the population of more than one million minorities, but today a fatwa has been issued that it is not permissible to vote for minority candidates in the general election.”

The Jamia Uloom Islamia alleged that a major political party had nominated a Hindu for the general seat in the presence of a better Muslim candidate even though there were reserved seats for non-Muslims.

In response, the fatwa said: “The vote should be given to a candidate who has the required qualifications and ability, his party manifesto must also be correct and about whom there’s satisfaction that he can take better steps for the people of their constituency, religiously and secularly. And because the non-Muslim candidate does not live up to these standards; it is better to vote for a Muslim candidate”, The News International reported.