Don't work with men, Muslim clerics tell Indian women

[Yudhister]

Muslim women should not work with men or go shopping in areas where they could mix with strangers of the opposite sex, according to an edict issued by the influential All India Muslim Personal Law Board, which claims to represent the nation's 140 million Muslims.

Maulana Syed Nizamuddin, the board's general secretary, said the decision to ask Muslim women not to work in call centres and avoid any kind of job which involves interacting with men was part of a package of "social reforms we advocate".
He said that women were also dressing in western clothes, especially in the country's new shopping malls, and these often were "too revealing". "Men will gaze on them if they visit the market. It is extremely essential to cover their entire body. Better such errands are left to the men in the family," said Mr Nizamuddin.


The comments provoked anger among Muslim liberals, who say such pronouncements are an anachronism and will undermine the authority of the clergy.

Syeda Hameed, of the Muslim Women's Forum, said that the board needed to reflect a more "sane, moderate, realistic" view of the world. "There is nothing in the Qur'an or the Sharia law about these things. In fact one of the wives of the prophet was a businesswoman. Saying these things just makes Islam end up looking anti-women, which it is not."

The board, which is made up of leading Muslim clerics from all over India, carries considerable weight. Almost every mosque in the country takes its advice.

However opinion polls have shown that Indian Muslims, who have benefited less from the country's wealth and development in recent years, have become increasingly preoccupied with material matters rather than spiritual ones.

According to a poll commissioned by CNN-IBN, a news network, 69% of Indian Muslim respondents chose "livelihood issues" as the most important issue facing the community. Only 4% said religion. Academics say that although India has many prominent Muslims in Bollywood and in sports, this has masked the community's relative decline in the country. Professor Pratap Bhanu Mehta, of Delhi's Centre for Policy Research, said that for "all the visibility of Muslim film stars and cricketers, there is considerable evidence to suggest that independent India has done a bad job of integrating Muslims into the mainstream of politics".

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[miqsh]

this a matter of great concern to the women in india. i find that the women have to go to work to survive and support families. the All India Muslim Personal Law Board are trying to be too protective of women in the society and its negative elements. they have to become more liberal for the muslims or fund the second largest population of india.

[alpha]

Time will bring down the collapse of such midieval customs,traditions and ways .The modern middle east have changed..let this mullahs go to dubai and see what freedom women have there.

[rohit khaitan]

These mullahs are crazy. And crazy ppl in big numbers think they r wise. They still live in 7th century. IF there were a time machine, we could have deprted them 1300 yrs back and they would be happy then.

wake up mullahs this is 21st century. And no mandir or masjid solves ur problems. It s human endeavour and rationalism that cures all disease. If a lion pounces on u, u have to run. offering namaz or chanting shlokas dont save u....

[miqsh]

well are you suggesting that if god doesn't want you to live anymore, u can escape the inevitable death? u have to know that all our lives are hanging on threads. u never know when they wore off and fall. as for the lion, u cannot escape it. have you ever tried it in the mulllah's shoes? why do they take all the trouble to go asking women to take care of themselves? if u are a muslim u will truly know the reason's and understand the importance of it. it is just like the family which has too many problems in it but don't show it.

well if one was to go out in the street in a mini skirt can you deny the fact that she is in a situation that she is in constant danger of being raped? what do you do? punish the man right for laying his hands on her right. but the women has an equal share of punishment for having attracted the man. if she wasn't attracting in the first place, why would all the scenario have occured?

not everything is as it seems. that is an important lesson that has to be applied to all the aspects of life.

[India1989]

miqsh if you see a woman in a mini skirt would you go and rape her. I don't think so.

it should be completely the fault of the person. if others can resist then why not him.

but again things vary a lot according to religions followed by Indians.

We shouldn't go into this thing.
i know that mandir or masjid won't solve any problem but it will in one way. If both are respected in the society.

But again not everything is in god's hand. if everything was we can sit down idle and hope for god to do everything for us. But we have to work to make it come true. Who are actually working to be succesful in life. it is us. God's blessing just gives us more confidence.

Well India does have muslim law board but it is now split into 2. one is shia law board and another is sunni muslim law board. I am atleast happy that these law boards are there to represent and uplift the community in India.

Someplaces even the majority community is not treated properly. I mean look at Nepal. Or take a look at Bangladesh and see how Hindus were massacared or in Pakistan where Shias and Balochis were massacared. Take a look at Afghanistan where their own muslims were killed my taliban.

things will get right.

But rohit khaitan, this is not mullah thing. There's a big difference between muslims living in India and in other countries. Don't get mistaken. Muslims living in India are much more eduacted and civilized.

You might not know but one thing proves it. Not even a single Indian muslim has joined Al Qaeda nor a single Indian muslim has done terrorism against India. That is if we don't include Kashmir.

But at the same time look how many Hindus are doing terrorism in India. Naxalite, Maoist etc etc, ULFA. You can't say anything like that. According to some Hindu things you can also say that Hindus are living in 7th century when Hindus kill their children if they find out that it is a daughter. that's a complete immaturity and is still prevalent among Hindus all over India specially Punjab and Haryana.

But Hindus living in India are much more civilized then hindus in Nepal. But again India has all kinds of people so you never know.

[miqsh]

yes depends on each individual but just think would there still be issues regarding raping if no one was wearing mini skirt or such clothing? yes the most important thing is unity in the country.

[India1989]

Recent survey showed that one of highest rape rate was in Pakistan. While one of the lowest was in USA, Canada, India, China and other European countries. If laws are strict the anything can be prevented. Even if you go around naked, if the policeman is honest then no one can touch that person.

But tell me when a girl is raped are you gonna go to her and say that its your fault. But i am going to try to console her. think about someone in your family. Please no offence but try to analyze the situation. I am sure you are not gonna blame your family members. But the person who did it. And you are really going to kill that person.

again peace as opinions differ.

[miqsh]

yes if you were to look at the logical part of it, it is true. but u cannot deny that there is not one person who can control their urges. didn't you tell that a few days ago? i wonder how USA can have one of the lowest :rolleyes: rape cases.

[India1989]

You know why cause it is normal for people to see girls wearing those kinda clothes. If girls were more clothes which are closed and stuff and oneday if they see another girl wearing open clothes then people will go after her.

In US laws are good. USA is not a country like Pakistan or Afghanistan or in that case not even like most of the Asian country. India is a bit better. But still not that good. If you have good laws anything can be prevented.

[rohit khaitan]

I thikn the thread was on mullahs so i simply put my views on it.. I never claimed that hindus r better or otherwise.....

And as far as clothes are concerned u can wear whatever u choose to.. no one can impose dress codes on u.. And mishq u think no woman in afghanistan is raped??? they dont wear mini skirts there right....

Beides i dont believe in this religious bullshit... Christians say u should go to church every sunday, muslims says u should offer namaz 5 tims a day and go to mecca atleast once in lifetime...hindus say u should read ramayana and mahabharata. And perfrom rituals to avoid hell...

Well if htat were so no human on hearth practises all three... So all of us will eventually got to hell... Then y the hell do u bother for religion..

I feel human endeavour is God and there is no other god....Its always better to feed a poor or dieing or to build a hospital road or house.. or go our to ur office and work then to sit in a religious place for hours... chanting some texts....(strictly my views). And if at all there is any God he will also advise u the same...

[India1989]

You know what rohit khaitan, i agree with you. First its good that we should never consider this religion better then the other. Strictly following a religion won't help you. No matter what religion you are you will always be accepted by god if you do good deeds. A person no matter how many times he goes to temple, offers namaz, goes to church, will land in hell if he kills people or does bad deeds.

I also sometimes don't believe in religion when they have too many things. Pray to god or offer namaz. Visit temples, gurudwaras, mosques or churches and then that's it.

For a person no one's religion should come first. THeir country should come before religion or any other bullshit.

that's my opinion. For me i don't go further then praying to god or enjoying some festivals.
For me if i have to give up my religion for my country i will do so. I don't care what people will think of me.

[miqsh]

i am sorry that i have mistaken you. i just wish that all the muslims in the world are setting a good example to follow.

[rohit khaitan]

Dear mishq if god wants u to be dead u will be dead. I agree on this. But do u think by praying endlessly u can influence him to change his thoughts??? You think u can bribe him or tell him what to do??
As an individual u can run when u see a lion or shoot him to save urself...So just do that.. Leave the rest to God. he will do what he has to do...you cant influence that so dont care for it either.

And to answer ur second question what are the problems of muslim society??? Are muslims any different then hindus or sikhs?? We all are same blood and flesh... So ur problems are no different then ours.. If other women in the country could wear whatever they want and go to work ...so can muslim woman.....

And u think a woman is equally responsible if a man rapes her on seeiin her in mini skirts??? In US every woman wears a mini skirt atleast once in her lifetime...So according to ur theroy all american women deserve to be raped.??? And woman dont wear mini skirts in afghanistan. Do you think no woman is raped there.....

And does ur surrounding controls ur impulses?? If u see food u will eat?? if u see water u will drink??? if u see a naked woman u will rape her??? if u see money u will steal it??? is it???

WE are humans not animals..my dear freind...Thats what separates us from animals... responsibility (response ability).. You can choose ur response... in every situation... whatever happens to u .. u are responsible for it... not the situation around u............

[India1989]

nice reply rohit khaitan. NOt all the muslims in the world are setting a good example to follow. Not all the Hindus in the world are setting a good example to follow. Not all sikhs or chritians or any other religions are setting a good example to follow. Not all Indians are setting a good example to follow.

There are just few who are doing it.

[miqsh]

well the world would have been a different place to live in if majority of the people set good examples.

[India1989]

But majority of people doesn't set good examples. That's the problem. If majority had set a good example then millions of people would've been jobless by now. Less people in police and in army to take care of them. Less wories and no stress. Without stress life doesn't work.

[miqsh]

are you joking? if the people were more responsible then they would be able to think up more ideas and help each other out. and stress does exist. how did u get 93%man on the test? stress doesn't occur due to negative factors. there are positive ones which makes the person to perform better - eustress. soumo i expected u to give a sensible answer. u let me down.

[miqsh]

I thikn the thread was on mullahs so i simply put my views on it.. I never claimed that hindus r better or otherwise.....

And as far as clothes are concerned u can wear whatever u choose to.. no one can impose dress codes on u.. And mishq u think no woman in afghanistan is raped??? they dont wear mini skirts there right....

Beides i dont believe in this religious bullshit... Christians say u should go to church every sunday, muslims says u should offer namaz 5 tims a day and go to mecca atleast once in lifetime...hindus say u should read ramayana and mahabharata. And perfrom rituals to avoid hell...

Well if htat were so no human on hearth practises all three... So all of us will eventually got to hell... Then y the hell do u bother for religion..

I feel human endeavour is God and there is no other god....Its always better to feed a poor or dieing or to build a hospital road or house.. or go our to ur office and work then to sit in a religious place for hours... chanting some texts....(strictly my views). And if at all there is any God he will also advise u the same...


but there is more to religion that u guys think.don't ask me anything regarding
that.u will learn it by urselves when it is the right time or at a time when it is too late to regret ur folly.

[rohit khaitan]

Well u r my dear freind.. Isnt it mishq. Then u want me to go to hell?? Save me man. Enlighten me of religion.... :D If this ignorant man dont ask u who else should he ask??? you are my saviour... :D (dont ask me to go to a mullah) :D

[alpha]

im concerned about the aspect of liberalism in it. Male and Female are equals, and each indiviual should have complete authority to decide what he/she should eat,drink and wear.
Man is not made for laws,but laws are made for Man!!!

[miqsh]

only the problem here is that lot of people have come to disregard the laws and try to act their way through.

[India1989]

my god. religions are killing people over here.

see think this people.

India has all the religions and all religions are good and so we all are good whether we go to hell or heaven or stay in the middle.

We should continue our work and pray to god or not pray whatever you wish.

Just save yourself and your country.

stay peacefully. DOn't attack each other. You might lose your life too. YOu might end up attacking a bigger attacker and might get a heart attack like i am having a math attack right now.

[miqsh]

like what? like doing "math" here eh? and hope the attack was successful. just kidding. don't start protesting or something of that sort. :D

[India1989]

Who's gonna protest against you miqsh. You are just soft and anyone can beat you in debate. just joking eh. don't take it seriously. now go do you work.

[miqsh]

that is after u go. :D

[India1989]

damn you. loll. i will go after you go. :D

[miqsh]

okay then let's sit on this till it is time to go to school in the next couple of minutes. :D

[India1989]

i am going. tata bye bye.