Muslim cleric claims fatwa issued against him for attending Ram temple consecration

A prominent Muslim cleric who attended the Ram Temple consecration ceremony claimed on January 29 that a fatwa has been issued against him for going to the Ayodhya event.

Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam of All India Imam Organization, told ANI news agency that he has been receiving threatening calls since then, and vowed to challenge the Islamic order.

"As a chief Imam, I received the invitation from Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra. I contemplated for two days and then decided to go to Ayodhya for harmony, for the country..."

"The fatwa was issued yesterday but I had been receiving threat calls from the evening of January 22...I have recorded a few calls wherein the callers gave me life threats...Those who love me, love the nation - will support me. Those who hate me for attending the ceremony should perhaps go to Pakistan. I have given a message of love, I did not do any crime...I will not apologise or resign, they can do whatever they want..."