Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader Shaul Hameed instructed women cadres to avoid dancing and merry-making during the victory road shows of Shafi Parambil, the Congress candidate who won the Vadakara Lok Sabha seat in the recent elections. This directive was issued in light of the grand reception organised by the Koothuparambu Mandalam Committee of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to celebrate Shafi Parambil’s victory at Panoor, Kannur district.
Shaul Hameed instructed women cadres to participate in the victory event for Shafi Parambil, the Congress candidate who won the Vadakara Lok Sabha seat. However, he advised Muslim League women to refrain from participating in roadshows and marches, citing that such activities are not permissible in Islamic traditions and religious practices. He assured them that they would still have the opportunity to offer their respects to their MP in other ways.
Vadakara constituency witnessed the most hotly contested election in the state, with Shafi Parambil winning by a margin of 1,14,506 votes against his rival, KK Shailaja, former state minister and senior CPM leader. In a recent voice message, Shaul Hameed instructed women cadres to participate in the victory event but advised Muslim League women to refrain from joining roadshows and marches, citing that such activities are not permissible in Islamic traditions and religious practices. This directive follows reports of women workers dancing on the vote counting day. The voice message has gone viral on social and electronic media, with many interpreting it as akin to a fatwa.
While these leaders often condemn what they perceive as intrusions by the Modi regime and RSS into minority communities’ personal liberties, including their dietary choices and clothing, their own directives sometimes reflect a similar conservative mindset.
This phenomenon was exemplified in May 2022 when M.T. Abdullah Musaliyar, a senior leader of Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama, an organization of orthodox Muslim scholars, reprimanded the organizers of a merit ceremony for inviting a Class 10 girl student to the dais to receive a merit award. These incidents underscore ongoing tensions between traditionalist interpretations of Islamic practices and modern societal norms.
A recent incident during the inauguration of a madrasa building in Malappuram district has sparked controversy. Reports indicate that a memento was presented to a Class 10 girl student by Panakkad Sayed Abbas Ali Shibab Thangal, IUML state leader. However, immediately following the presentation, M.T. Abdullah Musaliyar, a senior leader of Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama, expressed disapproval, questioning why the girl was invited to the dais, citing violations of Samastha’s rules.
His concern over the potential impact of media coverage added to the tension. The person responsible for inviting the girl reportedly apologized promptly following Musaliyar’s outburst. This incident has drawn criticism from various political leaders and the Kerala Women’s Commission.
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