L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Live, let live

Fatwa issued by Grand Mufti against the all-girl rock band is playing into the hands of extremists (“A culture that refuses to be rocked”, Sunday Tribune, Feb 10). Through music, one can attract the younger generation in the Valley towards something creative. It is a way to express one's feelings and channelise energy towards creativity. The mufti should withdraw the fatwa and let the girls follow the path they had chosen.

Anil K Jaswal, Gagret

II

There is no mention of music as ‘halal’ (lawful) or ‘haram’ (unlawful) in the Quran. Only the legal system of Islam forbids it. Liberal Sufi orders accept music as a means of attaining union with God. They approve of Majlis-i-Sama for spiritual uplift and reject Majlis-i-Tarab, which is for mere entertainment. Khwaja Nizamuddin Aulia, the fourth Chishti saint, patronised qawwali. While singers are expected to adorn the text of the song, they must avoid artful vocal display or theatrical style.

VK Rangra, Delhi

Own up

It is hard to believe Gen Pervez Musharraf did not take Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the ISI into confidence before executing the Kargil operation (Ground Zero, Feb 10). It was actually undertaken in the backdrop of Sharif’s threat of “first strike” in a possible nuclear war with India over Kashmir. His hurried meeting with the then US President Bill Clinton in Washington, the consequent ceasefire and “safe passage” to Pakistani intruders prove there was tacit connivance between the political and military leadership of Pakistan. Sharif cannot evade responsibility.

DS Kang, Hoshiarpur

Email your letters Readers are invited to send their feedback on the Sunday issue to sundayletters@tribunemail.com The mail should not exceed 250 words.