Sara Ali Khan Sparks Controversy with Kedarnath Temple Visit: Fatwa Issued
Sara Ali Khan’s recent visit to the Kedarnath Temple has sparked a religious controversy following a fatwa issued by Uttar Pradesh-based Islamic cleric Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi. The actress visited the shrine on October 25, where she was seen waiting in line for darshan and offering prayers with folded hands. Reports indicate that she also participated in puja and aarti, and visited the Bhukunt Bhairav Temple during her trip.
Cleric’s Response to the Visit
In response to Sara’s visit, the cleric stated that Islamic Sharia prohibits Muslims from engaging in religious practices associated with other faiths. “I want to make it clear that Islamic Sharia does not permit its followers to engage in shirk,” he said, as reported by Bhaskar English. He emphasized that no Muslim, regardless of gender, is allowed to adopt the religious practices of another faith or worship at a temple.
The cleric further described such actions as “impermissible and haram” under Sharia, urging Sara to repent before Allah. He reiterated his stance, stating, “I want to make it clear that such acts are not permissible.”
Details of Sara Ali Khan’s Kedarnath Visit
Sara Ali Khan traveled to Kedarnath by helicopter and joined other devotees waiting for darshan. Photos and videos from her visit show her standing in line and later offering prayers at the temple. Reports also mention that she participated in the temple’s puja and aarti, and visited the Bhukunt Bhairav Temple. Despite the cold weather, some women devotees reportedly offered her a shawl to keep warm.
Sara has a longstanding connection with Kedarnath, as the shrine is linked to her film career. She made her Bollywood debut with the 2018 film “Kedarnath,” which starred the late Sushant Singh Rajput. Since then, she has returned to the temple on multiple occasions.
Temple Committee’s Protocol for Non-Hindu Visitors
The controversy surrounding Sara’s visit has also drawn attention to the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee’s rules for non-Hindu visitors. Reports indicate that the committee requires non-Hindu devotees wishing to offer prayers at the shrine to submit an affidavit.
BKTC CEO Sohan Singh Rangar confirmed to News18 that Sara’s team had submitted the necessary affidavit prior to her visit. A fatwa is generally understood as a religious opinion or ruling issued by an Islamic scholar on a question concerning Islamic law. In this instance, the reported ruling reflects the cleric’s position and should not be viewed as a universal perspective shared by all Muslims or Islamic scholars.
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