Breaking Barriers: Muslim Woman To Lead Friday Prayers in Kerala Today

(Representative image: PTI)

New Delhi: In a first, a Muslim woman would lead the Friday prayers in Kerala’s Malappuram district on Friday.

Jamida Teacher, state general secretary of Quran and Sunnat society, will be the imam for Juma prayers to be held at Quran and Sunnat society headquarters at Cherukode in Malappuram district. Jamida would also lead the Khutba, the speech during Juma prayers.

Usually, men lead Friday prayers everywhere in India. Through this decision patriarchy is being questioned, says Jamida.

According to Quran, there is no gender discrimination in any of its worships and beliefs. Quran asks Muslims to perform prayers, Haj, zakat (charity) and fasting, addressing them as ‘believers’.

There is no discrimination between men and women in any of these religious acts. Discrimination was introduced by male muslim scholars, says Jamida.

​The Quran and Sunnat society was founded by progressive Islamic cleric Chekannur Maulavi who was noted for his controversial and unconventional interpretation of Islam. He disappeared on July 29, 1993 under mysterious circumstances and is now believed to be dead.

A U.S based Muslim scholar and professor, Amina Wadud, had started leading Juma prayers in 2005.