A prominent publisher of school textbooks and examination guides in Uttar Pradesh has tendered an unconditional apology and has agreed to recall all the copies carrying imaginary photographs of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) after objection from Darul Uloom in Deoband and protests in various other circles.
According to Islamic belief, pictorial depiction of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is prohibited.
The managing director of the publishing house wrote to Saharanpur MP Fazlur Rehman telling him that it was an “inadvertent error” and that the books have been recalled from the market.
This came a day after Darul Uloom raised objection to the imaginary photograph and demanded action against the publisher.
Earlier, the Saharanpur MP and scores of Deoband clerics had approached the administration seeking action against the company for hurting religious sentiments. They had also submitted a memorandum addressed to the President.
Vice-chancellor of Darul Uloom, Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani, said, “There is no picture of Prophet Muhammad, and publishing an imaginary image is condemnable. We strongly condemn it. Administration and government should take strong action against the publishing house.”
He later confirmed receiving an apology letter from the publishing house. “They have assured us that all books have been removed from the market and destroyed. I think the controversy ends now”, he said.
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Rushda Fathima Khan is the Staff Reporter for The Cognate.
