‘Women on public platforms cause great destruction, should stay home’: Kerala cleric sparks row

Mangalore Today News Network

Kochi, Aug 31, 2026: Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar has sparked controversy in Kerala after stating that bringing women onto public platforms would lead to "great destruction."

Speaking against women’s appearance on public platforms, Kanthapuram argued that, despite objections, religious scholars who had studied Islam had an obligation to speak on the issue and would continue to do so.

Addressing a gathering at an Islamic conference in Kochi, Kanthapuram claimed that Islam prescribed purdah to prevent the "great destruction" caused by women appearing on public platforms, sharing stages with men or appearing in public spaces alongside them.

"It is precisely recognising that bringing women onto public platforms in this manner causes great destruction that Islam mandated purdah for women. The Holy Quran states that women should live confined within their homes and must not make public appearances," he said.

Citing the Quran, the religious text of Islam, Kanthapuram reiterated that women should live confined within their homes and must not make public appearances.

The comments came after a recent circular in which Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama president E Sulaiman Musliyar and general secretary Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar directed that women should not share stages withwith men or appear in public spaces alongside them. The circular drew criticism, with several women political leaders speaking out against it.

Kanthapuram said such views had been taught by knowledgeable religious scholars, particularly leaders of Samastha, for the past 100 years.

"Therefore, you must understand that it is because all knowledgeable people, especially the leaders of Samastha, taught this here for 100 years that the women in this country have maintained their honour and dignity," he said.

"When this is said, if leaders of any other organisation or Samastha leaders object to or question it, we have studied the religion and therefore have an obligation to say it. We will say it and continue to say it. No one can make us stop," he added.