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Reformist drive spreads among Muslim women in Kerala

Muslim women in Kerala are all set to assume their rightful place in society, as a reformist movement gains momentum in the most literate state of the country.

Muslim women's organisations, which initially made their presence felt in the mid-1980s when the Shahbano controversy erupted, were again active in Kerala on the issue of women's entry into mosques.

A number of organisations have come into existence in recent times to work for the emancipation of Muslim women.

''It is the clergy that came in the way of women's education and their right to worship in mosques,'' argues Fathima Moosa, president of the women's wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind, which has 600 local units and 12 district committees. Its girl's wing has 10,000 active workers.

She said the organisation enlightens Muslim women by propagating the ideals of Islam. It is striving for education of the girl child and to protect the right to live with modesty and dignity and worship in mosques.

Professor Shahnaz Begum, member of the Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind, said the participation of 75,000 women delegates in the two-day Kerala state conference of the organisation held at Malappuram in April is a pointer to the growth of women's movement in Muslim society. ''The women leaders also shared the platform with men for Islamic discourses, breaking traditional barriers,'' she added.

''This shows that Muslim women's organisations in the state have matured and cannot be ignored. Women should fight against the practice of dowry, and show courage in selecting their grooms and profession,'' she argues.

''The right to worship and opening the door of mosques for women is a human rights issue,'' says Fathima Moosa. But the orthodox clergy is opposed to the movement and insist on keeping women within the confines of the four walls, she adds.

The girl's wing of the Students Islamic Movement of India has 100 active members in the state. If is an organisation of young Muslims which keeps equal distance from all Muslim organisations, its state president P M Sainaba says.

Thanks to panchayati raj institutions and reservation for women, the Muslim League set up a women's wing called 'Vanita League' in 1996. Its president, Khamarunnisa Anwar, feels that "education and occupation'' would provide safety to them.

The 'Mujahid Girls Movement', which has 300 units showed its presence in the aftermath of the Shahbano case and the agitation for women's entry into mosques for worship. This organisation has a strong base in Malappuram district, especially in Thirurangadi, Aricode and Edavenna talukas, said its state president Prof C Habeeba.

These organisations conduct classes on a weekly basis to propagate their progressive ideological outlook.

In the case of Muslim personal law, they have taken a reasonable stand and called for reforms in the prevailing system, says a journalist.

Under the shade of these organisations, several Muslim women's magazines are being brought out. Prominent among them are Sramam, Pudava, Mahial Chandrika and Poonkavanam.

The reforms movements have contributed to the wellbeing of Muslims in the state, they educate them to abandon dowry and live with modesty and dignity.

Unlike the past, Muslim women now work in every sphere of life and are fast waking up to their rights, says Nissa Fassil, an advocate at Kollam.

Observers say the presence of a considerable number of Keralites in Gulf countries is also a major reason for the success of this movement. The progressive changes taking place in Gulf countries reflect here without much delay.

UNI

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