KOZHIKODE: Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar has come out against the participation of Muslim women in public demonstrations. The Samastha Kanthapuram faction raised this objection following the participation of Muslim women in the election victory celebrations organized by political groups such as the Muslim League and the Welfare Party.
In a joint statement, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama President E. Sulaiman Musliyar and General Secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar asserted that it is unacceptable for men and women to mingle, embrace, or clap for one another in the streets as part of victory celebrations for political organizations formed in the name of the Muslim community. The statement characterized such behavior as “anarchy” and “acts of indecency” that are strictly prohibited by religion.
The Kanthapuram faction issued a fatwa (religious edict) stating that unrelated men and women must not participate in joint demonstrations. The statement explicitly labeled the celebratory rallies as “anarchy” and warned that such activities constitute a religious violation.
While claiming that Islam grants women complete freedom and dignity, Kanthapuram used this argument to oppose their involvement in the public sphere. The statement concluded by calling these demonstrations “deplorable” and urged relevant authorities to remain vigilant to ensure such trends do not recur in the future.
The report also noted a concurrent ban on including photographs of female candidates on election posters. In areas where the Kanthapuram faction holds significant influence, posters for a CPM-backed female independent candidate were notably released without her photograph.
