Religious leaders in Pakistan have recently declared kite flying, one-wheeling on motorcycles, and celebratory gunfire as un-Islamic and illegal activities. This declaration, known as a fatwa, followed discussions between police officials in Lahore and Islamic scholars. The new ruling categorizes these actions as crimes, and the scholars cited religious texts, including the Quran and Hadith, to support their decision. They consider these practices “haram,” or forbidden in Islam. The core reason for the fatwa is the safety and well-being of the community.
Before issuing the fatwa, Lahore police officials shared data with the religious leaders about the dangers of these activities. Police reports detailed numerous injuries and deaths resulting from kite flying, which can involve metallic strings that are hazardous, and one-wheeling, a risky practice that often leads to accidents. This information played a key role in influencing the scholars’ decision, as they determined that the potential harm from these activities violated Islamic teachings. In this way, the fatwa aims to discourage dangerous behaviors.
The fatwa has now been officially announced and is in effect throughout the region. The new ruling reinforces existing laws and adds a religious dimension, hoping to encourage responsible behavior, especially among young people. While religious edicts are common in Pakistan, this one is noteworthy for addressing multiple safety issues at once. The combined force of religious and legal authority will now be focused on enforcing this fatwa, which raises questions about how closely they will monitor and implement it.