V.P. Zuhra, president of NISA, a Kozhikode-based progressive Muslim women’s forum, is planning to approach the Supreme Court demanding that women be allowed to offer prayers in all mosques in the country, and that they be allowed to become Imams as well.
Ms. Zuhra, one of the petitioners in the landmark triple talaq judgment, told The Hindu here on Wednesday that women were allowed to pray in mosques under the Jamaat-e-Islami and Mujahid denominations, but separate from men.
Ms. Zuhra said women were not allowed to be Imams in any denominations even if they were religious scholars.
Ms. Zuhra’s demand is that all denominations of Islam, especially the predominant Sunni faction, consider women on a par with men.
“I have been to Mecca where men and women worship Allah together. I have read in texts of Islamic history that Prophet Mohammed allowed his wives to be present in mosques even when they were menstruating. So, when Allah and his Prophet have no problem with women worshipping in mosques, why are women being denied their right?”
She has decided to approach the apex court directly against the backdrop of its recent verdict permitting the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple. “I expect that the verdict will come to our advantage,” Ms. Zuhra said.
She has already submitted two other petitions in the apex court, one demanding equal property rights for Muslim women and another demanding a revision of Muslim marriage laws.
Published - October 11, 2018 01:39 am IST
