Lahore: Jamia Naeemia, a prominent religious seminary in Lahore, has issued a fatwa declaring the use of illegal immigration methods, commonly referred to as “dunki,” as contrary to Islamic principles and the Constitution of Pakistan. The declaration follows a series of tragic incidents in European waters that claimed the lives of dozens of Pakistani migrants.
The fatwa, signed by Dr. Mufti Raghib Hussain Naeemi and Mufti Imran Hanafi, equates illegal migration to “suicide,” a grave sin in Islam. It emphasizes that seeking to settle abroad through illegal means is forbidden (haram) in Sharia law. The scholars urged individuals to pursue legal and safe methods for migration.
The statement comes in the wake of two significant migrant boat tragedies. On January 16, a vessel carrying 66 Pakistanis capsized in Mauritanian waters en route to Spain, resulting in the deaths of 44 individuals, including those who drowned or succumbed to alleged torture. Nineteen survived, while ten bodies have been recovered, according to reports. In another incident near the Greek island of Crete, five migrants lost their lives when their wooden boat capsized.
The seminary also called on the government to intensify its crackdown on human trafficking agents who profit from facilitating such perilous journeys. These agents, they said, exploit the desperation of innocent people, pushing them into life-threatening situations.
Jamia Naeemia emphasized that adhering to lawful channels for migration is the only acceptable path, both in Islamic teachings and under Pakistani law. The fatwa aims to deter individuals from risking their lives and to encourage a collective effort against illegal migration practices.
