First time in Bharat, a woman played the role of Imam and led the Jumaah (Friday) prayers in Vandoor, Malappuram District. Jamida Teacher, general secretary of the Quran Sunnath Society, led the prayers in the mosque owned by her organisation. Her bold step was a challenge to the orthodox Muslim clergy. About thirty believers participated in the Friday prayers, on January 26, led by Jamida. Usually it is the privilege of a male Imam to lead the Friday prayers. But, Quran Sunnath Society has been maintaining that Quran does not insist on male Imam for Friday prayers. The office bearers of the society said that similar woman-led namaz will be spread to other parts of the State soon. Muslim women rennaissance leader Ameena Varood is the first ever woman to lead the Friday prayers in the world. It was in USA. Quran Sunnath Society endeavours to this system throughout the country.
Jamida has been facing death threats for the last few months, thanks to her progressive, logical and pragmatic approach to religious matters. The threats have intensified since she came out with her bold opinion against the Islamic forces’ stand towards Love Jihad case of Akhila in Vaikkom, Kottayam. She blasted the sinister designs of Popular Front of India (PFI), during her TV interviews in connection with the Akhila case. Now, threats continue through social media and phone. The calls carry dirty abuses as well. She receives calls from home as well as abroad threatening her that she would face the fate of Chekannur Moulami. Some threatened that Moulavi would call her and she would be beheaded. PK Mohammed Abdul Hassan alias Chekannur Moulavi (57) of Malappuram District has been missing under mysterious circumstances since July 29, 1993 after he left home to deliver a sermon. Moulavi had invited the wrath of the Islamic orthodoxy for his controversial and unconventional interpretation of Islamic affairs and Quran. People believe that Moulavi was killed by the fundamentalists. The threats Jamida receive day by day justify this assumption.
But, Jamida asserts that she will not deviate from her chosen path of equality between men and women with respect to the religious rituals and practices, come what may. She does not mind to face the Chekannur Moulavi’s faith for her bold stands. She believes that women are kept aloof because the real ideas of Quran are not conveyed to the people. She said, they threaten her that they would not let her live if she challenged the clergy. She says, they could kill her but she will not give up her stand.
— T Satisan, Kerala
