Muzaffarnagar: Leading Islamic seminary Darul-uloom Deoband has issued a fatwa banning photography, terming it as unlawful and against Shariat laws. However, it is learnt that the seminary has itself issued photo-identity cards to its students and employees.

According to Darul-uloom sources, four clerics -- including in-charge of fatwa department Mufti Habiburrehman, Mufti Zenulislam, Mufti Memood and Mufti Zafirudiin -- have ruled that photography including clicking someone or posing for a picture is illegal under Shariat. They said photography cannot be legalised only because it is so commonly used.

The fatwa was issued in response to a question on photography from a Mufti and in-charge of the Vishawa Mahila Shanti Mission, an Assam-based social organisation. The controversial fatwa has come at a time when one lakh Muslims in the country are preparing for the Haj pilgrimage and have passports with photo.

Muslims countries like Saudi Arabia have allowed photography and their governments have issued identity cards and passports with photos to their nationals.

Meanwhile, a member of the Shariat Court and President of Uttar Pradesh Imam Organisation, Mufti Zulfikar has said that despite photography being illegal under Shariat law, it cannot be avoided as it is commonly used. However, people should refrain from objectionable photos and "useless" photography, he added.