Kashmir's grand Mufti Bashir-ud-Din, Tuesday issued a Fatwa (Religious Edict) holding un-acceptable the army's construction, repair and renovation of mosques and shrines in the valley.

"Not even donation for such work can be accepted from non-Muslims. Islam forbids its followers from accepting help from non-Muslims for such activities," the Mufti said in a statement.

"The Shariat law does not allow any person or persons other than Muslims to partake in and donate for construction and repair of Mosques and Shrines."

"In my capacity as the grand Mufti of the state, I declare that this shall be treated as a verdict within the purview of the Shariat that no person or persons, organization or organizations other than Muslims can construct, renovate any mosque or Shrine," he said.

"Any action of construction, repair and renovation of any mosque or shrine shall be treated as interference in the religious affairs of Muslim community."

In an oblique reaction to the Mufti's edict, State governor Lieutenant General (Retired) S K Sinha, on Tuesday said that "India's secular credentials were well established the world over" and observed that "discordant notes of secessionist voices on religious lines are not in consonance with our pluralistic ethos."

The Governor exuded confidence that the "forward looking new generation will not get swayed by such machinations and keep the national integration intact."

He said, "Our youth were the embodiment of secular philosophy and inheritors of great ethos, which is unparalleled in the world."

So far the army has spent Rs 55 lakhs on construction and renovation of eleven Shrines in the valley under operation Sadhbavana.

Reacting to Mufti's edict, defence spokesman of the 15 Corps said, "We only extend help in such cases on the people's request.  If they don't want it, there is no force from our side."

The grand mufti appealed to all Muslims in general and Islamic clerics and scholars to resist such plans by the above
referred agencies tooth and nail.

He said the edict has been endorsed by the Muslim Personal Law Board and Nudwatul Ulama Jammu and  Kashmir.

"If army is serious about improving the lot of the people, it can construct schools, roads, bridges and other infrastructure where religious sentiments do not come in the way. The army should leavce the construction of religious places to Muslims only," the grand mufti said.

The controversy over the construction and renovation of religious places erupted after moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said it was a conspiracy to dilute the Kashmiri culture and religion to wipe out our identity once
for all.

"The hearts of Kashmiris cannot be won by such tactics, or their attention diverted from the real issue. They are aware that they (the Army) are the people who are responsible for demolition and desecration of our religious places," the Mirwaiz, who is also the head priest of Jamia Masjid here, said.

However, a defence spokesman, reacting to Mirwaiz, said Army is a secular organisation and has been working in the remote areas for development and uplift of all community services, which includes schools, hospital, sports, entertainment and religious places.

"Working to improve religious places does not in any way mean interfering with the religion as alleged by Mirwaiz,"
the spokesman said adding all Operation Sadbhavana activities are being carried out only on request of the local
population, duly copted with the overall development programme of the state government.

He said the accusations of the revered religious leader are totally baseless and reek of petty vested interests to undermine the good work and secular image of the army.

(With PTI Inputs)