Muslim clerics in Kerala oppose DYFI’s ‘pork challenge’

KOZHIKODE: A section of Muslim scholars has criticised the ‘Pork Challenge’ launched by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) as part of a fundraising campaign for the survivors of the Wayanad landslides, saying it amounts to insulting Muslims.

The Pork Challenge organised by the DYFI at Rajapuram in Kasaragod on August 10 saw around 350 kg of meat being sold. A similar challenge is slated to be held in Kothamangalam on August 18.

In a Facebook post, Nazar Faizi Koodathayi, state secretary of the Sunni Yuvajana Sangam (SYS), claimed that the challenge is an attempt to introduce blasphemy. “DYFI is aware that consuming pork is a taboo for many survivors of the tragedy. Despite this, the Kothamangalam committee of the organisation included it in the challenge,” Faizi said. He said using a product that is taboo for many survivors, to collect funds is an insult. There are other permissible food items that can be used for the challenge, he added.

Muslim scholar and teacher Ziyaudeen Faizi from Jamia Nooriyya Arabiyya, Pattikkad, Malappuram, also initially opposed the challenge but later withdrew his statement.

In a Facebook post, Ziyaudeen Faizi said: “There is freedom in the country to both conduct and oppose the Pork Challenge. However, I withdrew my post after realising that the controversy would only serve to give the challenge more publicity and that there seemed to be a political motive behind it.”