Najma goes to the market everyday. With her baby in her arms and her dupatta firmly wrapped around her head, she haggles with vendors to pick the freshest vegetables for lunch. But Maulana Syed Nizamuddin, general secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), considers her daily chore a mite too immodest for a Muslim woman.
He also has another inspiring message for the many Muslim women working in offices and factories to earn their livelihood: Shun working with men.
After a meeting of the board on Wednesday, Nizamuddin said errands like shopping should be left to men.
"Muslim women must avoid going out of their homes for errands like shopping, which should be left to the men in the family," he said.
That edict pronounced, the board (AIMPLB) went on to demand that the government scrap the provision for a uniform civil code in the Indian constitution. "If they cannot scrap it, the government must at least keep Muslims out of the purview of the uniform civil code," said.
"The provision as enshrined in article 44 of the Indian constitution dangles like a sword over our necks. It is therefore necessary to have the provision completely knocked off," he added.
The board official reiterated that a tennis court dress or swimming suits are anti-Shariat but distanced the board from such fatwas. "Since Shariat's position on all women issues, including their dress, is clear, there is no need for edicts," he said.
{{/usCountry}}The board official reiterated that a tennis court dress or swimming suits are anti-Shariat but distanced the board from such fatwas. "Since Shariat's position on all women issues, including their dress, is clear, there is no need for edicts," he said.
{{/usCountry}}A PTI report, however, quoted him as saying something different: "Every sports has its specific dress code and it does not come under the purview of the Muslim personal laws."