Kochi: Controversy has arisen over the statement made by Kerala’s prominent Islamic religious leader Kanthapuram AP Abubakar Musaliar regarding women. Addressing an Islamic conference in Kochi, he said that women should be confined to home and should not come into public life. Citing the Quran in support of his statement, he said that the purdah system has been prescribed to protect the dignity and respect of women.
What did the religious leaders say about the public life of women?
Kanthapuram said that women should stay in their homes and should not be present in public places. He claimed that this system is not to show women inferior but for their respect and safety. He also expressed reservations about women’s participation in public life.
Why compare women with gold necklaces?
To explain his point, the religious leader compared women to gold jewellery. He said that just as gold necklaces are kept in cupboards and boxes to keep them safe, women should also stay at home. On the contrary, giving the example of a stone mill, he said that it can also be kept on the roadside because its value is not like that of gold jewellery.
What claim did he make regarding the purdah system?
Kanthapuram said the system of keeping women away from public places is to maintain their dignity. He claimed that bringing women into the public sphere could cause harm to society at large and that is why purdah was introduced in Islam.
Has controversy already started with Samastha’s circular?
This statement of the religious leader has come at a time when a circular was issued by the Kanthapuram faction of Samastha Kerala Jamiat-Ulama regarding women being seen with men on public platforms. In this, women were advised not to share the stage with men. Many women leaders of Kerala had raised objections to this instruction.
Did the religious leader also refer to old religious ideas?
Kanthapuram defended his stance, saying that religious scholars have been giving such teachings regarding women for almost 100 years. According to him, the aim of these teachings has been to maintain the respect and dignity of women. She also said that Islam gave many rights to women and played an important role in bringing changes in the status of women in Arab society.
What did you say on women’s rights?
Kanthapuram claimed that Islam gave women the right to property and inheritance and prohibited practices such as female foeticide. However, at the same time, he also linked the religious restrictions imposed on women’s participation in public life with respect and security.
Who objected to the statement?
His statement has also been criticised at the political level. Senior CPI(M) leader PK Srimathi termed this as a statement with patriarchal mindset towards women and said that the thinking towards women has changed a lot in Kerala society. Criticising such statements, he said that the idea of limiting the role of women to the home does not match the current social changes.
How did the religious leader defend his statement?
Kanthapuram refused to back down from his stance despite criticism. He said that religious scholars who study Islam have the responsibility to present the teachings of the religion to the people. He said that he will continue to express his religious views in the future and no one can stop him from doing so.
