Kashmir Fatwa Over Mosque Rebuild

May 29, 2007

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6701881.stm

A Muslim cleric in Indian-administered Kashmir has issued an edict against the renovation of Islamic mosques and shrines by the Indian army.

Grand Mufti Bashiruddin's edict, or fatwa, said only Muslims may carry out such work on holy sites.

India's army says it has spent more than $130,000 on the repair of Muslim holy sites in the region as part of its campaign for "hearts and minds".

Indian troops have been fighting militants in Kashmir for 18 years.

Several armed groups are fighting Delhi's rule in Jammu and Kashmir, India's only Muslim-majority state.

India accuses Pakistan of sponsoring the uprising - a charge Islamabad denies.