Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama religious directives

In late August 2026, the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, a prominent Sunni organization in Kerala, issued a directive restricting women's participation in certain public religious programs. The circular, led by president E. Sulaiman Musliar and general secretary Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliar, instructed local mahals and madrasas to ensure women do not appear on stages or in public spaces among unrelated men during religious celebrations, such as Milad-un-Nabi.

The leadership argued that these measures are necessary to adhere to Islamic norms and avoid “un-Islamic” styles, with Kanthapuram asserting that women's presence on public stages can lead to “social ruin.”

The directive has triggered significant backlash from political figures and social critics. Critics, including Chief Minister VD Satheesan and CPI(M) member P. K. Sreemathy, have condemned the language used and argued that the stance contradicts constitutional principles of equality and justice. While organization representatives defended the directive as a matter of religious discipline and freedom, the incident has sparked a broader debate regarding the influence of conservative religious institutions on women's rights and civic life in Kerala.