Clerics hung up on Quran ringtones: But Muslim cell users say tunes help their faith

LUCKNOW, India - Muslim clerics at a leading seminary are warningagainst using verses from the Quran as ringtones for their cellphones, calling the practice un-Islamic.

Clerics at the Dar-ul Uloom seminary in the northern Indian townof Deoband issued an edict banning the use of Quranic verses orMuslim call to prayers as ringtones, saying doing so violatesIslamic law.

Such ringtones are popular among Muslims in Uttar Pradesh,India's largest state. They are most commonly used by people intheir mid-40s and 50s, said Mukesh Sinha, a mobile phone companyexecutive. Many consider the religious tunes a reminder of theirfaith.

"Whenever my phone rings, I hear …