Days after his organisation shared a regressive circular restricting women’s presence at public religious programmes, Islamic scholar and Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar has doubled down on the position, saying that women should remain confined to their homes and that their presence on public platforms would lead to “great destruction”, as reported in The Hindu.
Speaking at an Islamic conference in Kochi on Sunday, 30 August 2026, Aboobacker said Islam had prescribed purdah for women to prevent such consequences. He reportedly said the Quran required women to remain within their homes and not make public appearances.
Aboobacker also said that such teachings had been upheld by knowledgeable Islamic scholars, particularly Samastha leaders, for around 100 years. He attributed women’s “honour and dignity” to adherence to these teachings and maintained that religious scholars had an obligation to speak on the issue despite criticism.
His remarks came days after the Kanthapuram faction of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama issued a circular directing mahals and madrasas to ensure that women were not present among unrelated men at religious programmes.
Samastha Circular Restricts Women At Religious Events
In a joint statement, Samastha president E. Sulaiman Musliar and general secretary Aboobacker instructed mahal and madrasa authorities to ensure that programmes conducted under their institutions adhered to what they described as Islamic norms.
The circular specifically directed that women should not share stages with men or appear in public spaces alongside unrelated men during religious celebrations. It also cautioned religious institutions against incorporating customs considered non-Islamic into Islamic festivals and ceremonies.
The directive drew criticism, particularly over restrictions on women’s participation in public religious programmes.
CPI(M) central committee member P.K. Sreemathy condemned the circular and called for its withdrawal. She described its language as objectionable and argued that Islam and Prophet Muhammad called for women to be treated with respect and consideration.
Samastha functionaries, however, defended the directive, maintaining that it merely reiterated existing religious norms for its followers.
“As Islamic scholars, they have done their duty. They reminded the faithful not to deviate from their religious path. Everyone has the freedom to live and preach according to their faith,” said Jamal Karulai, Kerala Muslim Jamaat district secretary.
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