Kite flying, aerial firing declared 'un-Islamic'

LAHORE:

After decades of persistent efforts to curb kite flying, aerial firing and one-wheeling, the Lahore police turned to religious scholars for support and obtained an edict from the Jamia Naemia that has declared these hazardous activities as un-Islamic.

The fatwa has been shared with the public on Wednesday through an official handout issued by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Faisal Kamran. Addressing the media, Kamran, the DIG Operations, Lahore, said that Islam unequivocally prohibited any act that jeopardised one's life.

The fatwa, written by Mufti Imran Hanfi and endorsed by Allama Dr Mufti Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naemi, the principal of Jamia Naemia, emphasises the sanctity of human life in Islamic teachings. It categorically states that any act that endangers human life is un-Islamic.

"Every act that endangers human life is against Islamic teachings. These activities are equivalent to suicide, which is strictly forbidden in Islam," declared the fatwa, which came on the request of a citizen, Muhammad Ali Naqshbandi, who had approached the clerics seeking guidance on the matter.

"The police will continue strict action to curb these deadly activities," DIG Faisal Kamran told the press conference. "We also seek parents' cooperation to ensure their children stay away from such illegal and un-Islamic pursuits," he added.

Lethal fad

The three activities have repeatedly proven to be fatal, as the use of sharp kite strings claimed several lives, aerial firing has caused countless fatalities and injuries, while one-wheeling continues to be a leading cause of traffic accidents.

In January alone, police arrested 151 individuals for one-wheeling and registered 150 cases related to kite flying. Additionally, 118 individuals were apprehended for aerial firing. DIG Kamran stressed that the authorities would sustain their crackdown to deter these violations.

The issuance of the fatwa comes as part of Lahore police's latest strategy to tackle a problem that has persisted for over two decades despite a zero-tolerance policy. Police have registered thousands of cases and conducted numerous crackdowns during this period, yet violations remain rampant.

In 2024, on average, the Lahore police registered eight cases daily against kite flying, arresting a similar number of individuals. Between January and November 30, 2024, a total of 2,767 cases were registered, with an equal number of arrests in Lahore alone.

Other regions of Punjab also reported significant violations. In Sheikhupura, 1,171 cases were registered, 2,027 cases in Gujranwala, 388 in Gujrat, 1,011 in Rawalpindi, 2,866 in Faisalabad, 632 in Multan, and 541 in Sahiwal.

Persistent problem

Provincial data from 2024 revealed the severity of the problem across Punjab. A total of 3,595 cases of aerial firing were registered, resulting in the arrest of 5,412 individuals. Of these, 3,865 offenders were convicted, and 2,816 challans were submitted. In Lahore, 523 cases were reported, with 572 arrests.

For one-wheeling, 3,170 cases were registered across the province, leading to 3,365 arrests. Lahore accounted for a significant portion, with 1,641 cases and 1,569 arrests. The statistics showed that the problem had not subsided despite extensive efforts.

Police have attempted multiple strategies – from community awareness campaigns to enhanced patrolling – but with limited success. The recent reliance on religious teachings appeared to be an effort to reinforce the police's crackdown with moral and spiritual guidance.

By involving religious scholars, the authorities hope to create a strong deterrent against these life-threatening activities. The fatwa aligns with Islamic principles and leverages the respect and influence the clerics hold in society to dissuade individuals from engaging in these dangerous pursuits.

DIG Faisal Kamran reiterated the importance of collective efforts to eliminate these practices. "Parents must play their role in monitoring their children and discouraging illegal activities. Community cooperation is vital to ensure public safety," he said.