Dial-a-fatwa that bans naps, raffles and tattoos: Muslim scholars issue 350,000 decrees in 2010



Taking an afternoon nap, the monotonous drone of vuvuzelas that irritated almost all football fans during the World Cup is OK, and it doesn't matter how much noise a donkey makes, it musn't be touched.



But buy a car raffle ticket and you could be in big trouble, but eating dates from palm trees growing in public areas is acceptable - as long as you don't harm the tree.



These are just some of the 350,000 fatwas, or Islamic religious decrees, that have been thought up by Muslim scholars on their website in Abu Dhabi that has a 'call centre' for those seeking guidance.

Blow that horn: South African fans get into full swing with their vuvuzelas in Durban during the World Cup in June

They cover a vast range of personal and religious questions submitted online, over the phone or via text to the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf).

The centre, which employs 50 scholars, mostly male, has issued a total of 343,121 decrees this year and plans to hire twice the amount of muftis next year to accommodate growing demand for answers.



Vuvuzelas are permissible in soccer stadiums providing they don't exceed 100 decibels which could damage people's hearing, and it is illegal to kill a noisy donkey, bird or other animal, no matter how annoying they are.



Body paint, henna and make-up are allowed because they are deemed to be temporary, but tattoos are ruled out because they are permanent.

By November 1 Awqaf had issued 298,277 fatwas this year, with most inquiries made by phone. The centre was averaging about 1,000 fatwas a day.

Henna tattoos were deemed okay as it is temporary

Car raffles are out because they are 'a kind of gambling', and an afternoon nap is banned because the time could be used more productively.

But half sisters are allowed to shake hands with their brothers, even if their mother is a Christian.

Speaking of women, the centre ruled that there are no specific prayers for 'getting a husband' and women may live alone 'as long as it was in a safe place'.



Another fatwa called on worshippers to 'be clean' when heading to the mosque and to avoid overeating garlic less the smell 'offends' others.

As for recreation, watching television and checking websites that instigate hate or division are to be avoided.

