Samastha Kerala Jam'iyyathul Ulama issues directive restricting women in public religious events

In late August 2026, the AP faction of Samastha Kerala Jam'iyyathul Ulama, a major Sunni organization in Kerala, issued a directive restricting women's participation in public religious events. The circular, signed by president E Sulaiman Musliyar and general secretary Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, instructed local mosques, madrasas, and mahal committees to prevent women from appearing on public stages or mingling with non-mahram men during Milad-un-Nabi celebrations.

Kanthapuram, who also serves as the Grand Mufti of India, defended the stance during a gathering in Kochi, asserting that women's presence on public stages leads to social ruin and that scripture dictates they remain in the domestic sphere. The directive drew significant criticism from politicians, including Chief Minister VD Satheesan, and social media activists, who argued the stance contradicts the Indian Constitution's principles of equality.

While Kanthapuram later stated that his organization does not discriminate against women, the incident has sparked a broader debate regarding the influence of conservative religious institutions over civic life and women's rights in Kerala.