A Hindu cleric has agreed: it’s an English custom that should not be picked up in India as a matter of cultural integrity. For Maulana Mufti Tariq Quasmi, however, it is part of the disdain for all the activities of the unbelievers, who are the “most vile of created beings” (Qur’an 98:6).
“Cutting cakes is un-Islamic, says Muslim cleric on New Year celebration; Hindu cleric agrees,” by Rajat Rai, India Today, December 23, 2017:
Rarely do Hindu and Muslim leaders agree. This time, Deoband in Uttar Pradesh has thrown up a surprise as Muslim clerics from the Darul Uloom and a pandit from the same city have expressed concern over celebrating New Year on January 1.
Cutting cake and rejoicing is part of celebrating New Year. However, Maulana Mufti Tariq Quasmi has said the practice of cutting cakes is unIslamic. “This is not legitimate in Islam,” he said.
Quasmi feels Muslims and those practising should stay away from such practices and abide by the practices of Islam.
“Our new year begins in the month of Moharram. We have no objection to people of other religion following such practices but Muslims, especially the youth, should avoid such things,” added Quasmi.
Recently, the Darul Ulum in Deoband had banned the use of smart phones in their campus. According to the clerics, smart phones were hindering studies and made students less attentive….
Surprisingly, Quasmi’s observations and suggestions have also been seconded by Hindu priests in the same area in Uttar Pradesh….
“Our youths should not follow English customs blindly. They should have basic knowledge of their religion,” added Sharma.