A major controversy has erupted in Kerala after the Samastha Kerala Jam-iyyathul Ulama, a prominent Sunni Muslim organisation, issued a directive asking mahals, mosques, madrasas and other Islamic institutions to prevent young Muslim women from appearing among unrelated men at public events and on stages.
The statement, issued by Samastha president E Sulaiman Musliyar and general secretary Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, says that placing young women among unrelated men in public spaces is not permissible under its interpretation of Islam.
The directive has triggered criticism over what opponents describe as an attempt to restrict Muslim women’s participation in public life.
What Does The Directive Say?
According to reports, Samastha has asked religious and community institutions to ensure that programmes organised under their authority follow what it describes as Islamic values and discipline.
The statement objects to women appearing alongside unrelated men on public roads and stages.
It also warns against incorporating customs and celebration practices that the organisation considers incompatible with Islam.
The direction reportedly follows the growing presence of Muslim women and girls at public celebrations, including Onam programmes and Milad-e-Sharif events.
Religious Body Defends Its Position
Samastha functionaries have defended the directive, maintaining that the organisation is simply reminding its followers about existing religious norms.
Kerala Muslim Jamaat functionary Jamal Karulai said that religious scholars had a responsibility to advise followers according to their faith and that individuals had the freedom to follow and preach their religious practices.
Criticism From Within Kerala
The directive has also attracted criticism from political figures.
CPI(M) central committee member P K Sreemathy condemned the language and called for the circular to be withdrawn, arguing that women should be treated with dignity and respect.
The controversy has therefore moved beyond a discussion within religious institutions and into a wider debate about women’s autonomy and their participation in Kerala’s social and cultural life.
A Larger Question About Women’s Public Participation
The most significant aspect of the controversy is the breadth of the instruction.
The directive does not simply address private religious observance. It calls on community institutions to regulate whether Muslim women and girls can appear at public programmes where unrelated men are present.
The controversy is likely to continue as Kerala debates the place of religious authority, women’s autonomy and public participation.