Women’s entry into mosques: IUML leader corrects daughter’s remarks amid debate

Malappuram (Kerala): IUML leader Sayyid Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal on Sunday issued a clarification after his teenage daughter’s remarks on women entering mosques sparked debate.

His daughter, 16-year-old Fatima Nargis had recently stated at a public programme that restrictions on women entering mosques were cultural in nature and needed to change. The comment triggered discussions across social media platforms.

Responding through a Facebook post, Thangal said he was clarifying the matter “as a father,” noting that his daughter had been confronted with an unexpected question on an issue rooted in Islamic jurisprudence, a subject that demands extensive scholarly knowledge.

“We fully realise that the response she gave does not align with the mainstream Muslim belief system in Kerala or with the established conclusions of the scholarly community,” he wrote.

He added that her statement should be understood as a spontaneous remark from a young person who has yet to develop the necessary awareness or formal study on such matters, emphasising that it was not a deliberate or informed view.

“On a matter that has already been clearly and comprehensively defined by the traditional Muslim scholarly community in Kerala, I wish to correct and clarify her response here — with complete responsibility as a father,” Thangal said.

IUML state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal also commented, telling reporters that the statement came from “a child,” and urged that no controversy be manufactured around it.

PTI