Lucknow:
In the holy month of Ramzan, Muslim clerics - both Shia and Sunni - from Uttar Pradesh are busy abroad.
Reason - they have been in great demand as devotees in Gulf countries want them for conducting religious discourses.
"The clerics from the state are going abroad in the holy month of Ramzan for performing religious discourses and 'taqrir' (lectures).
During this month, people find solace in their lectures and spare time from their busy schedule," leading Shia cleric Maulana Yasoob Abbas told PTI.
Alluding to the request of their followers during the fasting month, the clerics visit Gulf countries like Saudi Arab, Dubai, Iraq and Iran, he said.
The clerics also have followers in New York and Miami in the US and in European countries where Muslim devouts seek their presence during the month, he said.
Abbas said that "Rozedars" (Muslims observing fast) in various places abroad seek the help of Indian clerics with regard to do's and dont's during the fasting period.
"They are considered as most credible and knowledgeable," he said.
While noted Shia cleric Maulana Kable Sadiq is in Kenya to attend "Dars-e Quaran" programme, Sunni cleric Abdul Aleem Farooqui has just returned from England after attending a religious programme "Jashn-e-nuzul-al Quaran".
"Maulana Sadiq will be addressing Dars-e-Quran, a recitation and explanation of the Holy Quran to benefit his followers in Kenya.
He is expected to return after Eid," a close associate of Sadiq said.
Farooqui, who has just returned from the UK, said he was there for Nuzul-al-Quran programme which is the commemoration of the revelation of the Holy Quran.
"It falls on the 17th of Ramzan and is one of the highlights of the holy month of Islam. I also gave lecture at the religious programme at Islamic Academy in Manchester," he said.
Similarly, Maulana Zaheer Ahmad Iftikhari is in the United States these days holding a programme on Quran, an associate of the Maulana said.
Leading clerics like Maulana Shauzab Kazmi Zarvali, Kari Waris Ali Shah, Maulana Yusoof Azizi and Kaji Raushan were also of the state for religious functions.
Most of them are visiting Mumbai and Kolkata for lectures, they said.