Well-known Shi’ite cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad went on to say that women’s place was “inside the home” and they could not be allowed to enter politics, where it was impossible for them to adhere to the Islamic laws like remaining in “purdah” or the veil.
“Women are created by the Almighty for rearing children... they are not supposed to ride horses, firing guns or selling liquor or making speeches in the parliament,” Jawwad said while addressing reporters in Allahabad on Friday.
Another noted Sunni cleric and member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, an apex body of Muslims in the country, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangimahali said he was not opposed to the entry of women in politics but he was against the demand for a quota within quota for the women.
“Quota within the quota is against the Indian Constitution,” Firangimahali said.
Prominent ulemas from the prestigious Deobandi-based Islamic seminary Darul-Uloom have also opposed the Women’s Reservation Bill saying that it will not be beneficial for the Muslim women.
Voicing his opposition to the Bill, senior cleric at the Islamic seminary Nadwa-tul-Ulema in Lucknow, Maulana said the Muslim women in a secular nation must not enter politics as they would not be able to adhere to the tenets of the Islamic laws like remaining in “purdah”.
Chairperson of the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board Shaista Amber, however, rejected all these contentions and slammed the muslim clergy for opposing entry of Muslim women in politics.
“Islam has given the women the rights to raise their voice and fight for their dues if needed,” Amber told Deccan Herald here on Saturday.