Muslim League leaders meet Kerala cleric amid row over his remarks on women

IUML leaders met Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliar amid the row over his women's remarks, as recent League support added political weight to the outreach.

In Short

• IUML leaders met Kanthapuram to ease tensions after his controversial remarks on women
• First known meeting post split in Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama factions
• IUML defended Kanthapuram, calling his remarks scholarly expression

Amid the controversy over Kerala cleric Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliar's remarks on women, senior leaders of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), an ally of the ruling Congress-led UDF, met the cleric on Sunday in an apparent effort to bridge differences.

IUML state president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal and senior party leader and Minister PK Kunhalikutty met Kanthapuram. The meeting took place while Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was visiting the cleric. The IUML leaders also met the Malaysian prime minister during the visit.

The meeting assumes significance as it was the first known meeting between the two sides since the split in the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama. The faction led by Kanthapuram has traditionally been seen as closer to the CPI(M), while recent political speculation has suggested that it may be moving closer to the Muslim League.

The IUML had earlier come out in support of Kanthapuram after his remarks on women triggered a major controversy.

Kanthapuram had said that bringing women onto public platforms in the manner being seen causes "great destruction" and that Islam mandates purdah for women. He also said the Quran states that women should remain within their homes and should not make public appearances.

Responding to the controversy, IUML leader and Minister PK Kunhalikutty had described Kanthapuram's remarks as "a scholarly expression".

Other Muslim League leaders also defended the cleric. IUML's lone woman MLA, Fathima Thahliya, while advocating equality for women, said she did not agree with targeting Kanthapuram over his remarks.

"He is a great scholar; I never agree with targeting, insulting or singling him out," she had said.

The IUML meeting with Kanthapuram also came after Chief Minister VD Satheesan strongly criticised his remarks, saying they were not suited to a progressive Kerala. Leaders of the Kanthapuram faction subsequently met Satheesan to express their displeasure over his comments. Satheesan, however, stood firm on his position.

- Ends