Hyderabad police arm themselves with fatwa to regulate late night functions in the city

In a unique way to curb loud celebrations in the predominantly Muslim area of Old City in Hyderabad, the South Zone police have now reportedly secured a 'fatwa' from prominent Islamic seminary Jamia Nizamia on the issue.

The police was having a tough time enforcing a ban on 'orchestras' and a fixed timing of the functions along with curbing a rising trend of hiring female dancers and lighting fireworks.

The Times of India quotes noted Islamic scholar Mufti Mohammed Azeemuddin from the Jamia's Darul Ifta (or the fatwa centre), as writing that "A ban on singing, music and orchestra performances at weddings by the police department is not akin to interfering in Islamic sharia law. The police department can enforce this ban."

Late night weddings have become a law and order problem for the police in the Old City as not only does the loud music disturb the neighbourhood, the functions also have become a hotspot for crimes.

South Zone deputy commissioner of police V Satyanarayana told TOI “There were two stabbing cases, of which one resulted in a death. Further, there have been instances in which people were seen dancing with swords. We have also seen that parties with hired women dancers are on the rise. The Jamia Nizamia, in the fatwa, said that inconveniencing people by loud celebrations late at night is wrong. They have also said that the celebrations should not go beyond 12 am or 1 am. It is likely that a meeting will be held on Saturday."