Kochi: Controversy has arisen over the statement made by Kerala's prominent Islamic religious leader Kanthapuram AP Abubakar Musaliar regarding women. Addressing an Islamic priming in Kochi, he said that women should be serving 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 nobility and respect of women.
What did the religious leaders say well-nigh the public life of women?
Kanthapuram said that women should stay in their homes and should not be present in public places. He personal that this system is not to show women junior but for their respect and safety. He moreover expressed reservations well-nigh 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 alimony them safe, women should moreover stay at home. On the contrary, giving the example of a stone mill, he said that it can moreover be kept on the roadside considering its value is not like that of gold jewellery.
What requirement did he make regarding the purdah system?
Kanthapuram said the system of keeping women yonder from public places is to maintain their dignity. He personal that bringing women into the public sphere could rationalization harm to society at large and that is why purdah was introduced in Islam.
Has controversy once 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 stuff seen with men on public platforms. In this, women were well-considered not to share the stage with men. Many women leaders of Kerala had raised objections to this instruction.
Did the religious leader moreover refer to old religious ideas?
Kanthapuram secure his stance, saying that religious scholars have been giving such teachings regarding women for scrutinizingly 100 years. According to him, the aim of these teachings has been to maintain the respect and nobility of women. She moreover 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 personal that Islam gave women the right to property and inheritance and prohibited practices such as sexuality foeticide. However, at the same time, he moreover linked the religious restrictions imposed on women's participation in public life with respect and security.
Who objected to the statement?
His statement has moreover 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 reverted 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 when lanugo 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 protract to express his religious views in the future and no one can stop him from doing so.
