'There is nothing unIslamic in women praying in mosques'

P K Ahmed Kutty Moulavi, imam of the Palayam mosque in Thiruvananthapuram, has remained at the heart of controversy since he permitted Muslim women to pray in his mosque for the first time in south Kerala. Most Friday discourses in mosques in the south Indian state revolve around Ahmed Kutty and his unprecedented action.

Abdul Gafoor Moulavi, the Kerala Waqf Board chairman and imam of the Manakkad mosque, has begun a series of discourses on the entry of women in mosques and plans to print them for wider circulation in the state. The Samastha Kerala Sunni Youth Sangam, a Sunni youth organisation, has already distributed 25,000 open letters challenging Ahmed Kutty's action.

But the 47-year-old imam is sticking to his guns and plans to take his mission to other mosques, where women are denied entry. Ahmed Kutty, who has done a eleven-year religious course, discusses his views in an exclusive interview to Rediff On The NeT's D Jose. Excerpts from the conversation:

How do you react to the ongoing criticism against your action?

It is quite unfortunate. I do not see any ground for criticism. If women in north Kerala and outside are free to enter mosques, how can the same be denied to women in south Kerala? The critics might feel outraged because I have broken the tradition for the first time in south Kerala.

Why was this practice not followed in south Kerala?

There are many reasons for it. The major reasons were the absence of an enlightened religious leadership in the erstwhile Travancore state and the lack of facilities in most mosques in south Kerala. Except Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi, there were no eminent scholars and religious leaders in the region before Independence. Vakkom, in his writing, had advocated the entry of women in mosques. But as going to mosques by women is not compulsory as in the case of men nobody gave any serious attention to it.

How did the situation change?

The arrival of religious leaders and scholars from the north helped the community to become more enlightened. The influx of Muslim families from the north to the south for jobs and business further consolidated the position. As a result of these factors women became more assertive and started demanding entry to mosques.

The pressure on the Palayam mosque was stronger as it was located in the heart of the city. As the first floor of the mosque was found convenient enough to accommodate women, I thought of opening it for them. The 25-member Jamaat committee also backed my decision.

How many women prayed here during Ramzan?

More than 250 women attended the prayers on ordinary days. On Fridays their numbers were as high as 1,000.

Do you now regret your decision in the light of the mounting criticism?

No. I have been getting hundreds of letters from different sections of the community hailing my action. Several organisations like the Girls Islamic Organisation and the Ityahadu Subanan Mujahideen have come out openly in support of my action.

Will you work for the entry of women into other mosques where it is denied now?

I have already made an open call to women to assert their rights. Entries in mosques is allowed only if the demand comes from women. If anybody comes forward to raise this demand I will certainly help them in whatever I can do.

Don't you think similar problems will arise there as well?

Those who are opposing the entry of women in mosques are doing so out of ignorance. People are deliberately turning a blind eye to the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Mohammad, both of which unambiguously support the freedom of women to offer their prayers in the mosque.

There is nothing unIslamic in it. If it is unIslamic how are women allowed in historic mosques like Mecca and Madina?

Women have been entering these mosques from the days of the Prophet. Even in the Gulf, where the rules are followed more stringently, there is no bar on women entering mosques.

Why then are people opposing your action?

I don't know. Nobody has so far been able to convince me what is unIslamic in the entry of women into mosques. I think conservative sections in the community are against women getting more enlightened. They feel once the people become more aware of their rights their hegmony will end. There were many who had objected to the rendering of the discourses in Malayalam. I think these are the same people.

How do you react to the allegation that you are an agent of the Muslim League trying to take the women into the party's camp by uniting them religiously?

I have nothing to do with politics. I have no connection with any political parties. I am not a member of any religious organisation. People are trying to spread canards.

How do you explain the silence of the Muslim League on this crucial issue?

Maybe they are more concerned with votes. If they get more votes by remaining silent, let them do so. However, some Muslim League leaders have privately supported my action. Khamarunnisa Anwar, chairperson of the Muslim League women's wing, had given an open call for the entry of women.

Do you think the present protests are linked to some fundamental groups which has become active in the state?

I don't know. The people who are protesting are those who are against progress. As regards fundamental forces they are doing those things for their temporary gains, which has nothing to do with Islam. Islam teaches peace, truth and justice. I think these people need more education on Islam.