A heated debate has emerged across social and political circles in Kerala after a prominent Islamic scholarly organization issued strict guidelines regarding the participation of women in public religious gatherings.
New Directives for Event Organizers
Leaders from the influential religious body have appealed to event organizers to strictly adhere to Islamic regulations. Specifically, they instructed that young women should not be brought into public streets and stages surrounded by men with whom they have no familial relationship.
The Stance of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama
The Kanthapuram faction of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, a leading council of Sunni-Shafi'i Islamic scholars in the state, emphasized that all celebrations must remain strictly within religious boundaries. Organization President E. Sulaiman Musliyar and General Secretary Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar released a joint statement urging people to take any violation of these norms seriously.
Statements Made at the Kochi Conference
Speaking at an Islamic conference in Kochi, Kanthapuram asserted that bringing women onto public platforms leads to severe consequences. Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar stated, “Understanding that bringing women to public platforms like this causes massive devastation, Islam has made purdah mandatory for women.” He cited religious teachings to argue that women should remain within their homes rather than appearing publicly.
The leadership maintained that scholarly figures associated with Samastha have propagated these values over the past century, which they credit for preserving the dignity and honor of women in the region.
Responsibilities of Local Mosque Communities
The organization specifically directed local mosque-communities, known as Mahallu committees, along with madrasas and institutional managers, to remain vigilant. They stressed that all gatherings must uphold moral values and discipline to set a proper ethical standard for future generations.
