The Darul Uloom 'fatwa' (which has since been withdrawn by the institution)seeking to restrict the rights of Muslim women contesting elections andannouncing that if women are chosen the leaders of any nation or community itwill prove disastrous is extremely objectionable and flies in the face ofhistorical evidence. The Indian constitution gives every citizen the right tocontest elections, campaign and also to dress as he or she chooses. These rightscannot be infringed upon by any institution and, in fact, should be extended andwidened in the interests of democracy.

The fact that many Muslims are taking advantage of reservations for women inthe local bodies is extremely welcome and any effort to circumscribe theirparticipation in public affairs in the name of religion is to be opposed. It isalso very important that the women contesting organise and conduct their owncampaigns so that they can become effective representatives and can alsomobilise other women in their support. It is untrue to say that women inpolitics are cyphers. Fatwas like this only strengthen such misconceptions.

AIDWA is also of the opinion that such fatwas are mostly resorted to againstthe interests of poor Muslim women. We should not forget that Bhopal was ruledby a succession of Begums who were not only extremely efficient rulers butenjoyed the support of the Muslim clergy. Similarly, Fatima Jinnah was thecandidate of the Jamiat-e-Islami in the Pakistan Presidential polls.

Such fatwas have been given in the past and have been treated with thecontempt that they deserve. Once in Deoband itself, a Muslim woman contestingfor the post of Chairperson was sought to be prevented by a fatwa. AIDWAsupported her in her decision to ignore the fatwa and she won the election.

AIDWA appeals to Muslim men and women and the electorate to ignore suchanti-women and anti-democratic fatwas, and asserts that it is important for thecommunity at large to come forward and safeguard these democratic rights.

Subhashini Ali, President
Sudha Sundararaman, General Secretary