A leading Muslim imam has been forced to step down after it emerged he had run off with his new wife who is 30 years younger than him.
Qari Javed Akhtar, 58, from Manchester’s Central Mosque, married a woman reportedly named as Sairish Ashraf, who is believed to be in her 20s, six months ago.
But her brother has now accused Akhtar of befriending the family, marrying his younger sister without their consent and then running off with her last month.
According to Islam, women wishing to marry should have a ‘wali’ which is a guardian who can make sure the husband will care for the bride in marriage. This is often a father or brother.
The secret marriage has sparked controversy in the local Muslim community and Akhtar has also stepped down from his role as chairman of International Na’at Association, an Islamic poetry organisation.
Qari Javed Akhtar, 58, from Manchester’s Central Mosque, married a woman reportedly named as Sairish Ashraf, who is believed to be in her 20s, six months ago
Qari Javed Akhtar, 58, from Manchester’s Central Mosque, married a woman reportedly named as Sairish Ashraf, who is believed to be in her 20s, six months ago
Akhtar’s new wife’s brother Arshad Mehmood posted a video on Facebook calling on the Mosque to kick him out.
In Urdu he said: ‘I’m so disgusted by what has happened.
‘He has pressurised her and taken advantage of her in a vulnerable position. He never spoke to us that he wanted to marry my sister.
‘Islam doesn’t teach you that you go to someone’s house and marry their daughter.’
One member of the mosque, who claims Qari Javed Akhtar buried his father and grandmother, defended the imam and admitted he doesn’t understand why he has stepped down.
He said: ‘In Islam, Wal* is a law that states the girl has to have someone to give her away. That’s usually a dad or uncle.
‘Who puts a number on love? She is legally of age.
‘In this case, I’m sure there would have still been a Wal* but it might have been someone else she trusted like a friend.
‘By law, there has to have been witnesses to a marriage.
‘That man [Qari Javed Akhtar] has no bad character in him. He’s a very well-respected, gifted man.
‘My grandad built [Manchester Central Mosque] and I am a member of it. The community is going to miss him.
The secret marriage has sparked controversy in the local Muslim community and Akhtar has also stepped down from his role as chairman of International Na’at Association, an Islamic poetry organisation
‘I don’t see why his wife’s family are trying to disrespect him. The man has done nothing wrong.
‘What is the problem in a man who doesn’t drink? Who doesn’t smoke? Who doesn’t take drugs?
‘I’m sure the only reason he has stepped down is because of all the questions people are asking of his private life.’
Manchester Central Mosque declined to comment.
On their Facebook page, the International Naat Association, wrote: ‘We would like to bring this to your attention that Chairman International Naat Association, Qari Javed Akhtar sahb has resigned from his position and he is no longer part of this organisation.
On their Facebook page, the International Naat Association, wrote: ‘We would like to bring this to your attention that Chairman International Naat Association, Qari Javed Akhtar sahb has resigned from his position and he is no longer part of this organisation’
‘He has also felt sorry for those who have been hurt due to his recent personal family matters.
‘Management of International Naat Association also apologises for any discomfort these issues may have brought to wider community, albeit we
highly appreciate your patience and support to the ‘Association’ while we deal with these sensitive matters with courtesy.
‘We as an organisation promised you to always do the right thing, we delivered in past and by the grace of Allah Almighty we are trying to deliver again, considering the sensitivity and seriousness of the issue, which shows our own commitment towards Deen and Maslak-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat which should always come first.’