LAHORE: In the light of Islamic jurisprudence, Pakistan’s leading seminary Darul Iftah Jamia Naeemia has issued a Fatwa declaring unicycles, aerial shooting and flying kites as Shariah (Islamic law) and a sin. The fatwa was issued on the request of the Lahore Police seeking the advice of a religious scholar on a matter related to bicycles, aerial shooting and flying kites in the light of Sharia as many people lost their lives to metal strings, stray bullets and unicycles. Referring to the teachings of the religion, the Fatwa reads: “The preservation of human life is the highest priority in Islam. The fatwa called on people to obey the laws of the state aimed at protecting the lives, property and honor of citizens. “Aerial firing is not only an extravagance but also creates panic among people. It can also become the cause of anyone’s death,” the Fatwa writes, adding that the actions were against the law and Sharia. Citing several verses and hadiths from the Qur’an, religious scholars have declared these acts “haram” [forbidden]. At least 26 people sustained gunshot injuries in Karachi this month on New Year’s Day alone. The development came a day after the Punjab Assembly imposed a complete ban on kite flying across the province. The bill also proposed stiff penalties for violating the provisions of the Punjab Prohibition of Flying Kites (Amendment) Act, 2024. Individuals caught flying kites will face three to five years in jail or a fine of Rs 2 million, or both, according to the amendments. Failure to pay the fine could result in an additional year in jail, he added.
