Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), clarified during a press conference that a clerical error in a previous statement had mistakenly led to the belief that the use of encrypted networks, including VPNs, was against Shariah. Naeemi emphasized that VPNs have not been declared un-Islamic or against Shariah, attributing the confusion to the omission of the word “not” from the council’s earlier statement.
He explained that the CII had convened to discuss the use of social media in accordance with Islamic principles, and the misunderstanding was due to a typographical error. Naeemi reassured the public that the statement reflected his personal opinion based on past council decisions and reiterated that the mistake was inadvertent.
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In a follow-up statement, Naeemi elaborated that while VPNs serve various legitimate purposes such as communication, education, and commerce, their correct use should adhere to Islamic principles. He advised that registered VPNs should be preferred, aligning with government regulations, while cautioning against the use of unregistered ones.
Naeemi also highlighted the significance of modern technology and social media, stating that banning these tools outright is not a solution. Instead, the council advocates for the positive use of technology and social media, emphasizing the need for responsible usage in line with Islamic values.
