CM Satheesan rejects Islamic scholar's 'women should remain confined to homes' remark

Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Wednesday (September 2) strongly opposed Sunni Islamic scholar Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar's remarks suggesting that women should remain confined to their homes, saying such a view was not in line with the progressive tradition of the state.

"We have absolutely no agreement with that statement. It is not a position that suits progressive Keralam. We cannot agree with it in any manner," Satheesan told a press conference after the state Cabinet meeting.

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"Something that used to be said back in the 19th century, is being stated in the 21st century. Women are not meant to live submissively inside homes. Our stance is a progressive one, that women should participate in all aspects of mainstream life. Make no mistake about it," he added.

He said women are not meant to live confined to their homes. "They should participate in all spheres of life and play a central role in society. That is our progressive position, without any doubt."

What Kanthapuram said

He was reacting to a query on the controversy that sparked after Kanthapuram, speaking at the Hubbul Rasool conference in Kochi on Sunday, said bringing women onto public platforms would lead to "great destruction" and that Islam prescribed purdah for women to prevent this.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), which is part of Satheesan’s Cabinet, has refused to take a stand.

"Women should remain confined within their homes. They should not enter the public sphere. The Holy Quran says so," Kanthapuram said.

Kanthapuram said such views had been taught by knowledgeable religious scholars, particularly leaders of Samastha, for the past 100 years.

“Therefore, you must understand that it is because all knowledgeable people, especially the leaders of Samastha, taught this here for 100 years that the women in this country have maintained their honour and dignity,” he said.

CM cites examples

The chief minister also said that such a view amounted to a misinterpretation of Islamic history.

He cited the example of Khadija, the first wife of Prophet Muhammad, who, he said, was a successful businesswoman.

He also referred to Aisha, another wife of the Prophet, saying she had participated in the Battle of the Camel and had played a leadership role.

Satheesan further cited the example of Queen Bilqis, saying Islamic history records her as a ruler.

"There was a woman who conducted business, a woman who played the role of a military leader and a woman who was a queen. All these examples are there in Islamic history," he said.

The chief minister also referred to an incident in which a woman questioned a decision regarding mahr (dower) during the time of the Caliphs. The ruler, he said, acknowledged that the woman's argument was correct.

"These examples show that women had a place even in the royal court. Therefore, we cannot agree with such a position in any manner," the chief minister said.

Controversial circular

Kanthapuram’s speech on Sunday came after the Kanthapuram faction of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, the state’s premier council of Sunni-Shafi Islamic scholars, last week said religious celebrations and programmes should remain within prescribed boundaries.

In a recent circular, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama president E Sulaiman Musliyar and general secretary Kanthapuram directed that women should not share stages with men or appear in public spaces alongside them. The circular drew criticism, with several women political leaders speaking out against it.