NEW DELHI: A Pakistani website quotes Muslim clerics in India agreeing with their counterparts in Pakistan that posting pictures of girls on Facebook is un-Islamic.

The website moremag.pk says 'this problem is not just limited to Pakistan where social media has become subject of criticism but Muslim leaders all over the world are somehow trying to establish their writ on social networks where it is virtually impossible to ban anything permanently.'

It says Muslim clerics in India have shown reservation on posting pictures of girls on Facebook. The viewpoint is divided and according to few, it is un-Islamic to post pictures of girls on Facebook since it becomes a cause of social evils and creates problems for girls.

Abul Irfan Naimul Halim of Sunni sect said, "There are so many crimes taking place each day. The animal instincts of men are not sparing girls even within the four walls. In such a case posting pictures is extending an open invitation to such crimes."

A Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas Naqvi also endorses the thoughts of Abdul Irfan. He says that hundreds of Muslims call on helplines asking about if making an account on facebook and twitter is permitted in Islam or not.

"There is no harm in making accounts on social networks as it is a practice to gain knowledge but posting a picture of women on internet for public without hijab is un-Islamic. Purdah should be practiced if it is important to post a picture", Maulana Saif added.

To some, it is better to maintain a physical relation than getting involved in virtual relation because the latter is more deceiving in case one of them is playing with a fake picture.

But there are few like Ali Nasir Syeed who is of the view that the definition of Purdah should be clear and that there is nothing un-Islamic in posting a picture of facebook or other social networks without hijab.

To him, coping up with the technological advancement is more important for Muslims today rather than getting lost in vague things.