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Kerala Islamic Scholar Remarks On Women Must Remain In Homes (Img: X)
New Delhi: A statement by Kerala-based Islamic scholar Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, also known as Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, has sparked controversy after he said women should remain within their homes and compared their protection with keeping valuable items safely stored.
Speaking at an Islamic conference in Kochi, the cleric said the purdah system was intended to protect women and claimed that bringing women into public platforms could create social problems. His remarks have triggered discussions over women’s participation in public life and interpretations of religious practices.
During his address, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad used the example of gold ornaments to explain his views. He said valuable jewellery is kept safely to preserve its quality and compared this with his argument that women should be protected by limiting their public presence.
He further stated that such views have been part of religious teachings followed by scholars for several years.
The comments have drawn reactions from several sections, with critics questioning restrictions on women’s participation in social, educational and public activities.
The debate comes after a recent circular related to religious programmes and public platforms faced criticism, with some political leaders and women activists raising objections.
The Kanthapuram faction of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, a prominent Sunni-Shafi Islamic scholars’ body in Kerala, has earlier stated that religious programmes should follow prescribed boundaries.
Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad defended his views, saying religious scholars have a responsibility to express their understanding of religious matters despite criticism.
Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad is a prominent Sunni Islamic scholar from Kerala and is widely known as the Grand Mufti of India, although the title is not an official government designation.
He is considered an influential religious figure among sections of the Sunni Muslim community in India and South Asia. The term “Mufti” refers to an Islamic scholar qualified to provide interpretations on religious law.
