Munawwarali Thangal plays down controversy over Kanthapuram Samastha circular
IUML leader Syed Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal has addressed a controversy regarding a circular from the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama that discouraged women from attending public religious events. Thangal emphasized that while religious scholars have the right to express their views, women retain their fundamental freedom to participate in all spheres of life.
Why it matters
The statement highlights the ongoing tension between traditional religious interpretations and modern democratic values regarding gender equality in India.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader and Muslim Youth League (MYL) State president Syed Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) sought to play down the controversy over a circular issued by the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama led by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar, asking mahals and madrasas to ensure that women were not present at public religious celebrations.
Speaking to reporters in Kozhikode, Mr. Thangal said that religious scholars have the freedom to express their views based on their faith. However, whether or how these views create conflict or contradictions depends on the prevailing social environment. The scholar likely spoke out of concern that without religious discipline, society or communities could slip into anarchy or disorder, he added.
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