Jamia Naeemia Issues Fatwa Against Illegal Immigration
LAHORE: Jamia Naeemia, a prominent religious institution in Pakistan, has issued a fatwa (religious decree) condemning the use of illegal means to travel abroad, The News reported on Saturday.
The edict, issued by Dr. Mufti Raghib Hussain Naeemi and Mufti Imran Hanfi, declares that illegal immigration is both unlawful and a violation of Islamic Shariah. It emphasized that taking any action that endangers one’s life, including suicide, is strictly prohibited in Islam.
“Committing suicide or taking steps that threaten one’s life is against the principles of Islamic Shariah,” the decree stated, urging individuals to adopt legal and safe methods for foreign travel.
The decree also deemed it unlawful for agents or intermediaries to charge money for facilitating illegal immigration. It called on the government to implement stringent laws to curb human trafficking and hold those who endanger innocent lives accountable.
This announcement comes in the wake of a recent migrant boat tragedy off the Moroccan coast, where at least 50 people, including 66 Pakistani nationals, lost their lives. The ill-fated boat, carrying 86 migrants, departed from Mauritania on January 2 before capsizing. Moroccan authorities reported rescuing 36 survivors.
Such incidents have become alarmingly common in recent months. In December 2024, over 80 Pakistanis perished when boats carrying migrants capsized near Greece.
The fatwa aims to deter individuals from endangering their lives through illegal means and highlights the urgent need for legal frameworks to address human trafficking and illegal migration effectively.
