✍️ Dr Asma ZehraHyderabadFormer organiser Women’s Wing AIMPLB
The Political role of a Muslim Woman needs broader and deeper understanding especially when the Religion Islam has Empowered and Liberted Women and given her not just Rights but a Position of Honor dignity and respect and Acknowledged her Potential.
This Issue is important as in Karnataka Election, there is one circular being shared regarding on female candidate with reference of Quran, Hadees and Ijmaa e Ummat.
(Ijma means consensus of opinion of Scholars).
The Circular states that a Woman cannot be a leader and the community will face losses if Women are their leaders. As the References are of Quran and Hadees we as Muslims obey Quran and Hadees and submit ourselves totally. It is indeed a blessing for Women that Allah swt has exempted them from responsibility of Imaamat and Qiyadat. The Men have been given responsibility as head of family in society and they also have responsibility of tribe and Nation.
The Situation of Indian Muslims is complex. The Democratic country is being pushed towards a Police State by Continuous systematic planned efforts of Saffron forces. BJP is winning Election in every State. The only hope of saving democracy is through unity of opposition ( it’s still unclear what strategy the Opposition has).
In this scenario Muslims have very few options or sometimes no options.
The Muslim Community lacks Think tank or data bank. The leaders mostly ride on emotions and certain issues are hyped and genuine discussion on potential issues are ignored or avoided.
One such issue is Women leadership in present scenario. Muslim Women form 50 percent of population which means 9 to 10Crore or 100 million. Their Education, talent and potential is an asset for Community. As Girls are performing better than boys in 10th and 12th grade, similarly Muslim Women are performing and proving themselves as Teachers, Doctors, Headmistress, Principal, Managers, their leadership skills are appreciated not just in Muslim management but also in Secular offices and institutions. The Muslim Women are playing a credible role in Education Health Economic and Service sectors.
Their Political role should also bd discussed in present perspective. In the present democratic system MLA, MP, or Counsellor is a representative not a Ruler as such. As Power in democracy belongs to People, it’s the People’s representative who reaches the Assembly and Parliament. The Women are playing important role in the country, many Muslim Women elected in Municipal Corporation, Assemblies or Educational bodies are contributing through their leadership skills. The Various parties have given Muslim Women voice space and representation.
If the 33percent reserved constituency and other opportunities open for Women, Muslim Women can’t stay behind. It becomes their responsibility to enter into politics and serve Community.
Therefore it’s important for Muslim community and Muslim organizations to prepare themselves for upcoming Challenges. Islam has taught Men and Women to be supporter in cause of truth and Goodness. They both struggle and strive together for noble cause. It has also taught Consultation Shuraaiyat in Collective matters. As Muslim community has taken a positive initiative to Make arrangements for Women’s prayers in Masajid ( it’s allowed in İslam and many countries follow it) , this decision was influenced by need of keeping Women connected with Religion and imparting Knowledge of İslam.
In same way There should be discussion on Women’s political participation and Women’s leadership. MIM has Women members in Municipal Corporation GHMC Hyderabad, similarly Samaajwaadi party, Congress party also have given tickets to Muslim Women. In one constituency in Karnataka , one Muslim Women who is a widow is contesting on Congress ticket. To oppose her a party has released a Circular of Fatwas against Women Political leadership.
Why is Religion and Religious doctrines taken as support to win one seat when even a layman can understand this is out of Context Circular. To counter this misuse, the clergy and authority on Islam should guide the Community. Our Community have become laughing stock and people are making mockery of us due to irresponsible emotional acts and actions of Muslim Leaders.
The Youth is looking up for Guidance in present scenario, the Women are ready to serve Community. But the Leadership is Confused and ill informed. They are mostly absent and when they speak their talks don’t include these contentious topics.
There were Senior visionary Ulemas at Time of Triple Talaq Campaign who included and supported Women leadership, but the present Ulemas are avoiding important Women issues including Hijab. It’s important for them to guide and channel Muslim Women’s potential. And the Muslim Community leader’s must plan for Women Leadership.
Many a times, only token voiceless representation is given . Sometimes Competent Muslim Women leaders are enrolled by Communist groups or ‘Secular’ groups.
There are urgent issues of Hijab ,khula, age of marriage and child marriage Act/Posco in Assam , Inheritance laws, bhagwa love trap, movies spreading hate etc.
The Women have been blessed with sincerity commitment sensitivity and various other special qualities, off course their primary responsibility is family. But there are many educated intellectual retired Women who can serve through their knowledge and experience. The mindset of Community needs a change. The Lady Candidate from Gulbarga can be supported or opposed as a collective decision of people of Gulbarga. But if she is opposed for being a Women and with the religious circular, it would be Hypocrisy. And Time will punish us for this.