An interesting newsburst out of Pakistan: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_7-9-2003_pg7_50 John
Another article on that page caught my eye, since I fancy myself a calligrapher. The article follows in its entirety. Can someone explain to me what a calligrapher's opinion has to do with this matter? --------------------------------------------------------------------- Calligraphers’ opinion sought in blasphemy case By Shahnawaz Khan LAHORE: The investigators of a blasphemy case who took Fatwas (edicts) from four clerics of different sects who declared the accused innocent have contacted calligraphers now, Daily Times learnt on Saturday. The first Fatwa was from Mufti Hameedullah Jan of Jamia Ashrafia, the second from Naib Mufti Tanvir Qadri of Jamia Nazmia Rizvia, the third from Syed Ashraf Rizvi, the Markazi Dar-al-Uloom nazim, and the fourth from Sadaqat Yazdani of Idara Hamd-o-Naat. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) investigation of City Circle Muhammad Hayat told Daily Times on Saturday the text of the Fatwas said, “The accused are innocent and the complainant should seek forgiveness from God because he accused an innocent man of blasphemy.” Senior lawyer M R Jan said police could register a case against the complainant if the court declared the accused innocent in the blasphemy case. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Possibly needed to write the fatwa. Here is an interesting article and the use of calligraphy in the fatwa is mention in the last paragraph: http://www.islamonline.net/English/news/2002-07/22/article48.shtml I would assume that illustrating the fatwa in calligraphy is the custom. John
