Kerala cleric expresses regret over women remarks, urges restraint
Kerala cleric A P Aboobacker Musliyar regrets his remarks on women in public spaces, urging restraint amid criticism from political leaders and community members.
A week after his comments on women's participation in public life triggered a political and social storm in Kerala, prominent Muslim cleric A P Aboobacker Musliyar, widely known as 'Kanthapuram', has expressed regret over the ensuing controversy and called for restraint from his followers. In a statement on Friday, he said discussions should serve as healthy forums for impartially evaluating ideas and learning new things.
The controversy began after Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations on August 26, when Musliyar issued a directive to mosque committees under his organisation, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulema. He stated that Islamic celebrations should not cross the confines of religion and that exhibiting women in public places amidst unrelated men was undesirable. He reiterated these views at a public event, citing Quranic teachings that women should remain quietly confined to their homes, warning of 'great destruction' if they entered the public arena.
The remarks came against the backdrop of viral videos showing Muslim women and girls dancing during Eid processions and Onam festivities, which some clerics had advised against.
Musliyar's comments drew sharp condemnation from Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan and leaders of the CPI(M), despite the cleric's faction of Samastha being seen as sympathetic to the party. P K Sainaba, a CPI(M) state committee member from Malappuram, noted the community's evolution on gender issues, pointing to the acceptance of women in politics and public life today. She referenced the Prophet's wife, Aisha, questioning why modern women cannot enjoy the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution.
Within the IUML, which had initially defended the cleric, senior woman leader Noorbeena Rasheed urged the party to clarify its position on women's empowerment. She highlighted the party's historical efforts to bring Muslim women into the political mainstream and expressed unease over the re-emergence of such questions. The IUML recently made history by fielding Fathima Thahilya, who became its first-ever Muslim woman legislator after winning from the Perambra constituency in Kozhikode.
In his latest statement, Musliyar urged his followers to be vigilant against those trying to divert spiritual discussions into controversies and to confront evil with goodness.
The 94-year-old cleric, who holds the title of 'Grand Mufti' from a national Sunni body, is known for his orthodox views on gender. He has previously spoken against co-education and women contesting elections. Despite his conservative stance, he has been a vocal supporter of the CPI(M) and leads the Markaz Knowledge City, a major integrated township in Kozhikode.