Samastha faction urges mahals to adhere to Islamic norms for celebrations and women’s participation

The Kanthapuram faction of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama has urged mahal committees, madrassas and other institutions to ensure that Islamic celebrations are conducted within religious boundaries.

In a statement, the community faction in Kerala led by Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar said organisers should strictly follow Islamic norms while conducting religious programmes and ceremonies.

The statement said Samastha views seriously any Islamic celebration or ceremony that violates prescribed religious limits.

Women’s participation in public programmes

The faction leadership said women should not be brought on to stages or into public spaces during Islamic celebrations where they would be present among unrelated men.

It also said displaying young women on public roads or stages among unrelated men was not appropriate for believers and was not permissible.

The direction called on mahal office-bearers, madrassa authorities, institutions and organisations to exercise particular caution while organising such programmes.

Direction follows recent criticism

The statement comes amid criticism after women from the community were reportedly included in Miladi Sherif, also known as Milad un Nabi, celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.

The issue has also emerged amid social media discussions over the participation of women from the community in public Onam-related celebrations. A section of believers had claimed that such participation was against religious values and discipline.

The statement also cautioned against combining Islamic programmes with practices and celebrations considered non-Islamic.

The faction leadership said all programmes organised at the mahal level and elsewhere should be conducted while preserving religious values and discipline.

It further said everyone had a responsibility to provide morally guided examples for the next generation.