The 125-year-old Islamic university, located at Shibli Gunj in the old city of Hyderabad, has termed as “un-Islamic”, the installation of models of the Kaaba, and Masjid-e-Nabavvi (the mosque and resting place of the Prophet in Medina). It also said youth applying “chamki” (glitter) on their faces is un-Islamic.

The fatwa has been signed by seven religious scholars, including the Jamia Nizamia’s Mufti Moulana Mohammed Azeemuddin and the Imam of the historic Mecca Masjid, Moulana Abdullah Qureshi Al-Azhari.

They said while the birth anniversary of the Prophet was a moment of rejoicing for Muslims, the celebrations should not violate the Sharia law. The fatwa made it clear that singing, dancing and playing “naats” (poems in praise of the Prophet) on the tunes of film songs is against the Sharia.

It asked Muslims to desist from playing “naats” at a high volume as it causes inconvenience to others. The scholars pointed out that even the recitation of the Holy Quran loudly is not allowed if there is apprehension that it can disturb others.

The edict has come amid concern in some sections of the community over the un-Islamic way in which Mawlid celebrations are being organized in the city for the last few years.

They feel the pomp and the manner in which Mawlid is being celebrated has no religious sanction and is setting a bad precedent.

“Instead of highlighting the message of Islam and the teachings of the Prophet on this occasion, the youth are resorting to acts which are against Sharia,” said Mohammed Anwar Ahmed, an associate professor on Quranic interpretation at Jamia Nizamia.

The fatwa is also expected to help the city police as it was concerned over the likely law and order problems due to the celebrations, especially tying of flags, banners and other decorative items in public places.

Police Commissioner A.K. Khan had recently called on Moulana Mufti Khaleel Ahmed, head of the Jamia Nizamia, and had expressed the view that the Muslims should spend the day in prayers rather than indulging in extravaganza.

Police is already concerned over the increasing number of religious processions and the competition among various communities in the celebrations during their festivals.

Three persons were killed and over 150 injured in the communal clashes that broke out in the city two years ago. The riots erupted after one group was replacing flags tied during Mawlid celebrations with its own flags.

The probe agency moved the petition last month. Its counsel B. Ravindranath told the court that Reddy was not cooperating in its investigation.

The agency said unless Reddy opened his mouth, it would be difficult to unravel the conspiracy. It told the court that it wanted to take up the test to know where the illegally earned money was parked by Jaganmohan Reddy, popularly known as Jagan.

Reddy’s counsel Susheel Kumar informed the court that his client would not agree to narco-analysis test as he had already provided all the information to the CBI. Reddy was arrested by the CBI Jan 2.

Reddy, a vice-president of Jagati Publications Pvt. Ltd. owned by Jagan, allegedly played a key role in floating dozens of companies by Jagan and mobilising investments from various companies both in India and abroad.

Vijay Sai Reddy is the auditor of Jagan’s companies, including Telugu daily Sakshi and a television channel by the same name.

He is the only accused arrested in the case since the CBI launched its investigations in August last year.

The CBI booked Jagan and 72 others following a direction from the Andhra Pradesh High Court on the petitions of former state minister P. Shankar Rao and leaders of the opposition Telugu Desam Party.

Jagan, an MP from Kadapa, is facing the allegation of conspiring with his late father and former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to grant approvals for mining licences, special economic zones, ports and real estate permissions to unscrupulous investors who pumped in money into his companies on a quid pro quo basis.

The reaction came a day after the IAS officers’ association said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was targeting them, leaving out the ministers responsible for wrong decisions.

The CBI has arrested two IAS officers, including a home secretary, in the Emaar township and illegal mining cases.

Another officer has been named in the chargesheet in Emaar case while some others are being questioned.

“It is not proper on the part of IAS officers to criticize CBI and shift the blame on ministers,” Varaprasad told reporters in Guntur.

The minister termed as “unfortunate” the situation created in the state by the allegations of corruption against IAS officers.

Minister for Transport Botsa Satyanarayana, who is also president of the state unit of Congress, dismissed the allegations that the CBI was biased in its probe in various cases of corruption.

He said all were equal before the investigating agency. “Whoever has done wrong will be brought to book. It does not matter whether he is a minister or an IAS officer,” he said.

Former minister and Congress legislator J.C. Diwakar Reddy remarked that IAS officers were not kids to sign wherever the ministers want.

“I agree that there will be some influence of the ministers on IAS officers but there will be no pressure on them,” he said.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) asked the IAS officers to reveal the names of corrupt ministers.

TDP leader Y. Ramakrsihnudu said the allegation by the officers made it clear that frauds were committed between 2004 and 2009.

“The cabinet of YSR was collectively and individually responsible for this fraud,” he said.

After YSR’s death in 2009, the CBI took up investigations into some projects cleared by his government.

Besides the Emaar-APIIC township and illegal mining, the CBI is probing the alleged illegal assets of YSR’s son Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy

Talking to press later, Mr Ankit said, ”banning or blocking websites on the Internet completely is not the answer and is a step away from democracy and could silence free speech all together.

‘We need to find a middle ground which allows a more efficient mechanism to remove offensive content from the internet without blocking access to websites completely,’ he said.

He said China currently employed about 40,000 people to block content on the Internet.

Mr Ankit hoped ”India is not going to go the China way even though it had issued a threat on banning websites on internet and I personally strongly opposed it.” The freedom of speech and expression is the mortar that cements the bricks of democracy… If the Centre goes ahead by banning the Twitter, Facebook and Google, it will be a sad day for democracy as the measure is totally uncalled for.” He gave a live demonstration on how to unblock websites, blogs, applications and content on the internet.

Even though the CBI said it had named only those arrested as accused and ommitted Acharya’s name, Mr Lakshminarayana clarified to reporters that the latter’s name was also included.

He said the health condition of Mr Acharya who was rushed to NIMS after he complained of chest pain last night was stable and added besides Mr Acharya and 11 others were named in the charge sheet as accused.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court had directed the CBI probe on the petition filed by former Handlooms Minister P Shankar Rao.

The CBI reportedly interrogated 270 people in the case.

The charge sheet mentioned that APIIC’s share in the joint venture was deliberately reduced and there were irregularities in the sale of villas.

The names included in the charge sheet were Mr Acharya, Mohd Al ABar of Emaar MGF, Emaar Hills, Jiery Orasadm Srikant, Builder Hills, L V Subramaniam and K Visweswara Rao, among others.

Meanwhile, the CBI special court extended the Judicial remand of Mr Sunil Reddy, Vijaya Raghavan and Koneru Prasad accused in the Emaar case till February 15.

He said though the cabinet was functioning, it was not addressing the problems of the people by formulating an action plan.

He alleged the assurances given to the government employees in Telangana region for calling off the 42-day ‘Sakalu Janula Samme’ (general strike) in September and October last year, had not been addressed so far. He, sarcastically, said the government will solve the employees demands only if they go on a strike again.

Though there were several agitations for release of funds for tution fee, the state government had not released a single rupee even though it had earmarked Rs 200 crore for it, Mr Naidu alleged and asked the Chief Minister to invite the striking Junior Doctors for talks as they were on a Relay fast since the last eight days and solve their demands.

The state government had imposed five percent VAT on garments and the traders subsequently took to the path of agitation.

Mr Naidu charged except in Andhra Pradesh, no other state in the country had imposed VAT. The state government owed an explanation to the people.

He said Nakkapalli mandal in the district, Ramayapatnam in Prakasam district and another place in Nellore district were being considered for setting up the port.

A group of experts visited the three places and a final decision will be taken soon.

He said in all probability Nakkapalli may be chosen. ”It may be the third port in Visakhapatnam district, apart from Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram,” he said.

The State Government would take steps to develop Kalingapatnam and Bhavanapadu as well and some companies such as Nuzvidu Seeds, Gangaram Port and Essar had evinced interest in taking up the projects. Bids will be invited for the projects.

Mr Rao said a proposal to set up Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board was pending for two or three years, and he would see to it that it takes shape soon. Further, steps would be taken to strengthen the port department in the State.

The Minister said the Vizag-Dubai flight would be started from March 25 and ”it will be a big event for Visakhapatnam.

International connectivity will certainly spur development of the city. It may lead to flights to other destinations abroad.” Further, he said, the terminal at Rajahmundry airport had been completed at a cost of Rs 40 crore and it would be inaugurated later this month.

The Steps would also be taken for the development of Vijayawada and Tirupati airports and for setting up a few low-cost airstrips in the State.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Naidu said the Supreme Court Judgement showed that ”it is a clear cut indictment of Manmohan Singh as he had miserably failed to grant sanction on Mr Swamy’s complaint to prosecute a public servant in the 2G case.” He also asked the UPA government to explain on who was responsible for the delay.

Though the PMO was indicted by the court verdict which allowed Mr Swamy’s plea, it was functioning under the orders of the Prime Minister, the former BJP chief said and asked the Prime Minister what was the action proposed by the government on the officials in the Prime Minister’s office (PMO).

Mr Naidu also asked the Law Minister and PMO as to why it had failed to bring to the notice of Prime Minister about Mr Swamy’s complaint.

Alleging that the Centre was not acting on any complaint unless the courts intervened, he said CAG, the main Opposition Party in the Lok Sabha (BJP) and active media had brought pressure on the government to take action on the politicians involved in the 2G spectrum case.

The release said the appointment of these key leadership positions are steps International Paper is taking to move APPM to higher levels of business performance.

In his roles as president and executive chairman, Mr Brown will oversee all of International Paper’s business activities in India, including setting strategic direction for the company in the region.

Mr Brown has extensive experience in the paper and packaging industry and, since 1984, has held leadership roles with International Paper in the US, Europe, the Middle East and Africa,China, Southeast Asia and India, the release said.

Police had made elaborate security arrangements, especially in the old city of Hyderabad, to maintain law and order. Security personnel were deployed around the places of worship and public places.

The old city was decked up for the occasion with green flags and huge banners tied on roads. Youngsters took out processions on motorbikes.

Several localities were illuminated and spruced up for the Milad, with people installing models of Kaaba and Masjid-e-Nabavvi, the holiest shrines in Mecca and Madina.

Addressing the meetings, religious scholars and community leaders exhorted Muslims to strictly follow the seerat-e-tayyaba or the holy life of the Prophet for success in life.

A huge procession was taken out from the historic Mecca Masjid in the old city. Holding green flags, a large number of people participated in the procession, which culminated in a public meeting at Moghalpura Ground.

Hundreds of people attended the annual meeting organized by Majlis-e-Tameer-e-Millat at Nizam College grounds.

At a mammoth public meeting organized by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) Saturday night, party president and Hyderabad M.P. Asaduddin Owaisi said youth had a huge responsibility in protecting and promoting Islam.

Pakistani religious scholar Syed Ataullah Hussaini Qadri Multani urged Muslims to respect and love the Prophet and follow his teachings. He said he was impressed to see in Hyderabad the display of love and affection towards the Prophet.

A leading Islamic seminary had last week issued a fatwa asking Muslims to desist from un-Islamic practices like playing music, singing and dancing during Milad.

Jamia Nizamia asked the community members to avoid excess revelry and ostentatious expenditure.