When Dr Fazal Gafoor, chairman of Muslim Educational Society (MES), announced a ban on the burqa in their 150 educational institutions, people of Kerala welcomed it. Gafoor had argued that burqa is not an Islamic practice.
Upset with the diktat, Samastha Kerala Jamiyathull Ulema, the religious organisation of Sunni Muslim scholars and clerics, said they will oppose the decision. Its leader Sayyid Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal opposed the circular. He said MES does not have any right to interfere in religious practices. Samastha alone enjoys it.
Omar Faisi Mukkam came down heavily on Dr. Gafoor. According to him, a woman’s body should be covered head to toe. He quoted the example of fried fish which will be grabbed by the cats if it remains uncovered. He asked MES to withdraw the order.
There are allegations that MES issued the burqa ban order to divert the popular attention from the Kerala links with the Sri Lankan blasts. But, MES says, the circular was issued on April 17, however, media brought it into the light on May 2.
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