Zainul Abedin Ali Khan, who leads the organisation in charge of the Ajmer shrine in Rajasthan, said that celebrity pilgrims were appealing for movies that often featured immoral subjects that insulted Islam.
“Many film stars come here with (a) CD or DVD of their work and offer it while praying for the success of the film or serial, whatever it is, which is absolutely against the Islamic law,” Khan told reporters in Ajmer on Sunday.
“They are using the holy place, a prime centre of religious belief, for purely commercial purposes and for degrading moral values among people,” the Press Trust of India news agency quoted him as saying.
The shrine to sufi saint Muin-ud-din Chishti, who died in Ajmer in the 13th century, is one of south Asia’s most important pilgrimage sites, attracting millions of Muslim and non-Muslim devotees from around the world every year.
Khan did not name any stars, but glamorous actresses Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor, veteran leading man Amitabh Bachchan and heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan are among many Bollywood personalities to have visited in the past.
“Most of the films today are full of obscenity, double meaning words and expressions,” Khan explained. “It is hateful and sinful.
“I strongly condemn and object to the visit of film actors, actresses, directors and producers to the dargah (shrine) to seek blessings for such things which are taboo.”
Khan also complained that an unnamed male singer-composer visited the shrine wearing a burqa and that a leading actress offered prayers while dressed in a skirt.
“This is to attract attention and it is highly objectionable,” he said.
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Why don't this matter is left on Saint if his spirit feels that one of the Bollywood star prayers are not worthy to be accepted, they will be rejected n if spirit feels it has substance than they will be accepted. There's no need to be soo emotional about a simple matter.
@Aslam: It is good to hear that "Indian Muslims are getting secular day by day" -- one wishes the Pakistani Muslims could do the same -- for the sake of peace and tranquility by reducing religious extremism.
As a Muslim I would say to Zainul Abedin Khan -- you CANNOT be the judge of the people -- besides, neither you own the Shrine -- nor you own Islam.
Khawaja is owned by everybody: Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, rich and poor, SINNERS and pious people, celebrities and ordinary people - equally.
No barriers as to who will visit and who will not. Let it be free.
Shrines and cemented graves were never be the part of ISLAM, rather Islam strictly prohibits these polytheist activities. If these prostitutes and devils are visiting a place of sin then neither one must worry nor surprise.
@Azharuddin Masood: well said!! The person buried there would not have allowed such finger pointing!
I recommend to all the people from all the religions to give respect the Holy places. Islam indeed a religion of harmony and love but there are some rules to follow in respect for sacred places. I have personally visited the Sikhs temples and other sacred places and all wants to follow some steps, wearing the handkerchief or washing the foots and hands, or entered without shoes, and many others. its just a respect for the place.
This is right move by Zain sb to convey the message to all the people to be careful in the future. Anyone can visit the Ajmar shareef and pray whole heartedly but it requires some obligation to follow while visiting such places.
Finally, somebody has addressed the issue that is so important. 'Sinful and hateful' is the only way to describe this behavior.
@amalgam: Only in Pakistan media can your shameful comments appear.
Mr. Khan knows more about bollywood movies than about the shrine. How does he know all these without watching like the double meaning dialogues. When your heart is clean, you will only understand the right meaning, not the vulgar one.
He is right 50% but i dont agree with him on non-muslims part coming to shrine whatever publicity cause its not a mosque anyway. they could wish whatever they want after all they are also GOD'S children.
ET: Poor reporting. Half the story is missing where the official Chisti has denounced this type of statement against bollywood. Allah is very forgiving. It is the moral police who is looking for their fifteen min fame.
@Aslam: Indian muslims are more secular & right thinking. They are not religious fanatics that's why people like Zainul Abedin Ali Khan has no supporting among them
@Muhammad Hassan: "Seems to me Indian Muslims are only marginally less extremist than Pakistani Muslims…"
I hardly think that his views find resonance among the larger Indian Muslim community. I agree that his opinion is extremist. HE is no-one to censor people's prayers.
@Falcon: "however, I agree that showing up to Dargah in a skirt is not very respectful of the religio-spiritual context"
Who went to the dargah is a short skirt? HE is complaining about the movies for which they ask for blessings and the fact that they dress skimpily in the movies.
Every one asks for blessings for whatever is important to them. I am sure Allah will accept those requests which are halaal and reject those that are not. This person need not get bent out of shape. All that they are showing is faith when they ask for blessings.
If Mr.Khan had argued that no politicians should be allowed in the shrine, I might have agreed with him. Politicians are biggers scums than all other scums puttogether.
Poor people have distress written all over their face, and when they seek divine intervention it looks genuine. Compared to this when Sharukh Khan enters the same shrine everything he does look filmy and fake. Modern days are bringing very strange human behaviors in a society part of which is still steeped in ancient belief. This is happening in all sacred places of every religion and all are coming out with some minimum dress code. The Kadhims there have opposed what Khan has said siting Sufi beliefs. The ET has not reported this. But, I like such healthy debates and churning taking place in India and finally things settling in a democratic and secular way not leaning towards any extreme.
Iam from khuwaja chishti family and i completely disagree with mr khan people of all religion are welcome to ajmer sharif its none of his business what do they pray for its their choice its allah who is gonna answer them not him khuwaja darbar is open for every 1 either muslim, chritstan ,sikh and hindus
People from all walks of life visit this holy shrine. Did this Moulvi ask President Zardari and Musharraf if their visits were purely for the welfare of humanity or to save their power? Did Emperor Akbar visit for winning the war or for the welfare of people of India? Even prostitutes have right to visit the shrine and beg for whatever they deem appropriate. Thieves and decoits too visit Shrine. I am sure their motive must be to have success in their missions. This is none of Moulvi's business to act as an interpreter between God and the worshiper.
Okay.. Let's allow only POLITICIANS, people like Mr.Zardari. They will give BIG donations (Public money) on behalf of all the people...
@Aslam: I think your beloved mullahs have fed you the wrong notion of meaning of secularism..
Secularism never means that you have to forgo your religion,your faith and your practices
Its just that you can practice your religion and do not interfere with other's freedom.....Something which pakistani muslims have much trouble....
But,I know the perfect solution to make you secular...All I need is to give you visa to UK,Canada or US.You will sing praises about secularism after that
Who ever thinks that being secular is getting away from religion is SOO not right! You have certainly NOT studied our Prophet (peace be upon him)'s life.
When he was in Madina, it was the non muslims who helped him, he always encouraged charity works, with the non muslims, even if it was helping non muslims.
So why are YOU trying to be all extremist?
@Aslam: wow, being secular means going away from religion??
@mr. righty rightist if you are searching for intellectuals ,there are definitely better places than Bollywood.intelligence quotient of an actor need not to be same as a scientist.the onus of educating the masses also doesn't lie on an actor.an actor's duty is to act and entertain people which i feel they are doing satisfactorily.by the same logic the patrons of these movies should also be banned as they are committing the sinful act of watching these immoral movies.by screening the devotees,this fellow is only trying to play God.I also believe all the temples,mosques,churches and Gurudwaras should be open for all religions and sects,because nobody can dictate his terms on behalf of God.
It should be a worrying situation for Indian Muslims. But I think they have no concern to that and are becoming more secular day by day. It is an influence of Bollywood movies and Muslims actors/actresses, that they are dragging them away from the religion.
The people from all over the world have been visiting this holy shrine since centuries. What their wishes and prayers are their business, no one else has any right to edit or censor their wishes and prayers.
And Hindu/Indian and pseudo-liberal-Pakistani commenters up in flames!
Seems to me Indian Muslims are only marginally less extremist than Pakistani Muslims...
Zainul Abedin Ali Khan Ajmer shrine is not the property of your father, it should be open for everyone hindu,sikh,christian,jews etc etc. what people do pray there its not your problem, i am Alhamdulillah Muslim n know all this, your objection on doing pray is not acceptable, cause its ALLAH who will accept their prays,,,, not NOT U. Zainul Abedin Ali Khan DO NOT MAKE YOUR OWN ISLAM.... In history of Islam non Muslim peoples come to PROPHET MUHAMMAD S.A.W.W. and ask for help n pray so i hope u got the point...
Mr Khan may be right in his stance about movies stars visiting the shrine but we don't agree to his comment that "They are using the holy place, a prime center of religious belief"... Is a shrine center of belief for Muslims?? Very sad thinking...
This is ridiculous and it is none of any Maulvis business to finger point or question about believer’s faith or morality. I’ve seen criminals and drug addicts offering prayers in Mosques. Maulvi Zainul Abedin Ali Khans job is to take care of the shrine and guide people and not question about their morality.
From now on everyone should give their mannat in writing before hand for the approval and it should be made mandatory to say their prayers out and loud instead of saying in the heart.
lets filter the requests before it goes to god, after all god doesnt know what is good and what is not.
I agree it's sad...but that's how most of the humanity is connected to Divinity anyways......for some it is about their jobs and kids...for others it is about their next blockbuster...however, I agree that showing up to Dargah in a skirt is not very respectful of the religio-spiritual context
they should move their shrine to middle east or pakistan
Hunting for publicity?