Strongly advocating for providing space for women to pray in mosques, Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) patron Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said, ” the great religion of Islam emphasised participation of women and their due share.”
“We need to understand and accord the rights guaranteed towomen by Islam. Denying them their rights amounts to great injustice to them,”a spokesman of the MMU, in a statement today, quoted Mirwaiz as having saidwhile addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of a Masjid atHawal here.
Mirwaiz welcomed the interest shown by the youth towardsIslam. “The solution to most problems faced by us is provided in the Quran andSunnah provided we look for it.”
“While constructing mosques, it should be equally kept inmind that we have to provide separate spaces for women folk in every new Masjidto pray,” he said.
“Every day reports of domestic violence against women cometo fore which is shameful. This reflects our attitude towards women as asociety and our ignorance of their rights and dignity as emphasised by Islam.”
“It is the basic responsibility of Ulema and Islamicscholars to create mass awareness about the rights and status of women in Islamduring their sermons , lectures and writings and also educate women about it.The respect they deserve in their homes and at their in-laws should also bestressed upon by Ulemas and scholars.”
“Providing spaces in masjids for women will help create asense of equality for them , besides helping both men and women in gettingeducated about women’s rights and changing the attitude in society.” “Ulemashould frequently raise issues of injustices towards women in society whichincludes domestic violence , demand for dowries , harassment at in-laws homes , issuers related to women’s right toproperty and all such things that they are confronted with,” Mirwaiz said. Hesaid, “Kashmiri society has to play a collective role in ensuring protection towomen.”