The CII chief dismisses the claim that VPNs are not Islamic due to a "typo" error.

 Allama Dr. Raghib Naeemi, the chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology, dismissed his declaration last week that virtual private networks (VPNs) are not Islamic as the consequence of a "typo" error on Wednesday.

In a historic declaration on Friday, Naeemi stated that it was forbidden Sharia law to use VPNs to access "immoral or illegal content." The council gave the parliament advice on how to make laws more in line with Islamic principles.

Dawn had been informed by a CII member that Naeemi's "personal views" were behind the statement, not the council's. Politicians, digital rights advocates, and religious academics all questioned the directive, claiming that the usage of VPNs was un-Islamic, in response to the remarks, which sparked intense outrage.

On Monday, Naeemi, who has been under fire, underlined that the usage of VPNs was "un-Islamic," not the technology itself.



In a press conference held today following a council meeting, the CII chief was questioned once more over his declaration that the decree was purportedly made in a hurry under pressure from the establishment. He responded, "My Friday sermon is issued on the council letterhead." A typo has occurred.

We believe that this problem was made worse by a typographical error where the word "not" was omitted. I would like to clarify, nevertheless, that no one has ruled that VPNs are prohibited or unlawful under Sharia law.