DAR AL HARB - INDIA: "ANY STATEMENT AGAINST THE VEIL MEANS AN OPINION AGAINST ALLAH & THE QUR'AN WHICH NO MOSLEM WILL TOLERATE"

Muslim leaders criticize presidential nominee for asking Indian women to stop using veil

LUCKNOW, India: Muslim leaders demanded Tuesday that India's governing coalition replace its presidential nominee after she urged women to stop wearing veils, which she said were introduced to protect women from Muslim invaders centuries ago.

Several Muslim leaders called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to find a new candidate for the largely ceremonial post of president, accusing Pratibha Patil, a moderate Hindu, of insulting Islam.

The controversy over Patil's remarks erupted even before she filed her nomination for the presidential election, due in July. The cutoff for nominations is June 30.

Maulana Khalid Rashid, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said it was God who had asked women to wear a veil and that this was enshrined in the Quran, the Muslim holy book. The board is the highest body of Muslims in India on laws governing personal matters.

"Any statement against the veil means an opinion against Allah and the Quran which no Muslim will tolerate," Rashid told The Associated Press.

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'Pratibha Patil insulted Islam'

Muslim leaders demanded on Tuesday that the UPA-Left combine replace its presidential nominee after she urged women to stop wearing veils, which she said were introduced to protect women from Muslim invaders centuries ago.

Several Muslim leaders called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to find a new candidate for the largely ceremonial post of president, after accusing Pratibha Patil of insulting Islam.

The controversy over Patil's remarks erupted even before she filed her nomination for the presidential election, due in July. The cut-off for nominations is June 30.

Maulana Khalid Rashid, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said it was God who had asked women to wear a veil and that this was enshrined in the Koran, the Muslim holy book. The board is the highest body of the Muslims in India on laws governing personal matters.


Pertinent Links:

1) Muslim leaders criticize presidential nominee for asking Indian women to stop using veil

2) 'Pratibha Patil insulted Islam'