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(Adelaide) AN IMAM at Australia's biggest mosque has issued a fatwa against Christmas, warning followers it is a ''sin'' to even wish people a Merry Christmas.
The ruling, which followed a similar lecture during Friday prayers at Lakemba Mosque, was posted on its Facebook site on Saturday, according to media reports.
It appears the post is no longer on the page.
The head imam at Lakemba, Sheikh Yahya Safi, told the congregation during prayers they should not have anything to do with Christmas.
The fatwa reportedly warns: ''Disbelievers are trying to draw Muslims away from the straight path.''
It says Christmas Day and associated celebrations are among the ''falsehoods'' for a Muslim to avoid.
''Therefore a Muslim is neither allowed to celebrate the Christmas Day nor is he allowed to congratulate them,'' it says.
The fatwa has been condemned by other Muslim leaders. The Grand Mufti of Australia, Ibrahim Abu Mohammad, was quoted by Fairfax media as saying the foundations of Islam were peace, co-operation, respect and holding others in esteem.
"Anyone who says otherwise is speaking irresponsibly," it quoted him as saying.
