Kerala Muslim Cleric's Remarks on Women's Public Presence Spark Controversy

Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musaliyar, a 95 year old general secretary of the AP faction of the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, has drawn criticism after stating that women entering the public sphere would lead to destruction. Speaking at an Islamic conference in Kochi on Sunday, Musaliyar claimed that the holy Quran states women must remain confined inside their homes and that the concept of purdah was instituted to avoid such destruction. These remarks followed a circular issued by the AP faction of Samastha that sought to restrict Muslim women's participation in public events, describing the display of young women among unrelated men on public stages as not permissible for believers.

Kerala Women and Child Welfare Minister Bindhu Krishna condemned the comments, stating that such a stand is not fit to propagate and that women have equal rights under the Constitution. Congress leader and home minister Ramesh Chennithala also expressed his disagreement, stating that he does not conform to the idea of restricting women in the public sphere. Conversely, Kerala Local Self-Government Minister KM Shaji declined to comment on the matter. Musaliyar defended his position by asserting that the Samastha has the right to guide the Muslim community based on over 100 years of studying Islam.