Following the publication of a controversial circular calling on women in Kerala not to be in public spaces with men, Islamic scholar Kantapuram AP Abubakr Musliyar stated that women should confine themselves to their homes. Speaking at an Islamic conference in Kochi on Sunday, he emphasized that bringing women onto public stages would lead to significant disorder, noting that Islam has established the institution of hijab to prevent this.
Previously, the Kantapuram Jamiatul Ulama Kerala faction declared that religious gatherings and events must take place within established boundaries. Recently, the organization's chairman E Suleiman Musliyar and General Secretary Kantapuram AP Abubakr Musliyar issued a directive stating that women should not share a stage with men or appear with them in public places. This circular drew criticism, and several female political leaders spoke out against it.
Speaking on Sunday at the Islamic conference in Kochi, Kantapuram said that the appearance of women on public stages would lead to 'great disorder.' He argued that Islam established the hijab for women precisely to prevent such situations. Kantapuram AP added: 'Understanding that bringing women onto such public stages leads to great disorder, Islam made the hijab mandatory for women. The Holy Quran states that women should remain in their homes and not appear in public.'
Kantapuram noted that such views have been taught by knowledgeable religious figures, especially leaders of Jamiatul Ulama, for the past hundred years. He stressed that religious scholars who study religion bear the responsibility of speaking on this matter, and they will continue to do so despite objections.
He stated: 'Therefore, you must understand that this is happening because all knowledgeable people, especially the leaders of Jamiatul Ulama, have taught here for 100 years how the women of this country maintain their dignity and honor.' He concluded that even if leaders of other organizations or leaders of Jamiatul Ulama dispute or question his words, they will continue to speak about it because they have studied religion, and no one can stop them.