A senior Sunni youth leader has defended the directive issued by the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama led by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar asking Muslim organisations to prevent women from mixing with men in public spaces during religious celebrations.

Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS) State general secretary Rahmathulla Saqafi Elamaram made the defence in an opinion article published in Siraj newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Sunni group led by Mr. Kanthapuram.

The article argues that the Samastha directive is part of the Islamic code of conduct and is aimed at Muslims who wish to follow religious rules. It says the circular should not be seen as a restriction imposed on society at large.

According to Mr. Saqafi, every religious or ideological movement has the right to maintain its own discipline and customs. He argues that its leaders and followers should have the freedom to review and change their practices without outside interference.

He links this freedom to democracy, saying different beliefs and practices give rise to different religious and ideological movements. Attempts by outsiders to reshape the internal practices of such groups, he says, amount to interference with freedom of opinion and expression.

The article says Islamic celebrations have a spiritual purpose and argues that activities involving young men and women singing and dancing together could shift the focus towards entertainment and material enjoyment.

Mr. Saqafi also says Islam has its own approach to relations between men and women. Men and women are naturally attracted to each other, and Islam therefore prescribes rules of conduct to protect family life and maintain social boundaries.

Responding to criticism from CPI(M) leaders P.K. Sreemathy and K.K. Shailaja, the writer questions their intervention in the issue. He argues that Muslims have the right to decide how their religious celebrations should be conducted.

The article rejects the charge that Mr. Kanthapuram’s position is anti-woman. It points to the educational institutions run by Mr. Kanthapuram and says his organisation has provided education and support to tens of thousands of girls.

The writer also criticises what he describes as some Communist positions on gender and family. The article concludes by rejecting what it calls a form of “progress” that, in its view, ignores traditional family and social values. It argues instead for preserving what it describes as the humane values of Islamic teachings.