Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad’s comments on women entering public life trigger fresh debate over gender, religion and freedom

Kochi, Kerala : Kerala’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, popularly known as Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, has sparked a fresh controversy after saying that women should remain confined to their homes and should not enter the public sphere.

Speaking at the Hubbul Rasool conference in Kochi, the prominent Sunni cleric defended the traditional purdah system, arguing that it was prescribed in Islam to protect the dignity and honour of women.

“Women should remain confined within their homes. They should not enter the public sphere. The Holy Quran says so,” the cleric said, according to reports.

‘Not to Diminish Women, But to Protect Them’

Kanthapuram maintained that his remarks were not intended to undermine women or suggest that they were inferior to men. Instead, he argued that restricting women’s presence in public spaces was meant to safeguard their dignity and protect them from harm.

However, his comments have drawn attention and criticism because of their implications for women’s participation in public, professional and social life.

Gold Necklace Analogy Draws Attention

To explain his position, the cleric used the example of a gold necklace kept inside a jewellery shop.

He described how a valuable gold ornament is carefully stored inside a cupboard, then placed in a box and kept wrapped safely before being shown to customers.

He contrasted this with a neighbouring shop selling stone grinders, which, he said, could be kept outside by the roadside without the same level of protection.

Kanthapuram argued that placing a valuable gold necklace on the roadside would allow people passing by to touch it, eventually affecting its beauty and value.

Using the analogy, he suggested that women should similarly be protected from unrestricted exposure in public spaces, warning that bringing women into the public sphere could lead to what he described as “great destruction.”

The comments have reignited a wider debate in Kerala over religious interpretations, women’s rights and the role of women in public life.

Critics are likely to question the comparison of women with material possessions and argue that women should have the freedom to participate equally in education, employment, politics, social activities and other areas of public life.

Kanthapuram, however, continues to defend his interpretation as one aimed at preserving women’s dignity and honour.

Who Is Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad ?

Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, widely known as Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, is a prominent Sunni Muslim scholar in Kerala. He serves as the general secretary of the All-India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama and the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama.

His latest remarks come amid an ongoing discussion in Kerala over guidelines issued by Sunni religious organisations concerning women’s participation in public religious programmes and sharing platforms with men.

The controversy has once again brought questions of tradition versus modern public participation to the forefront, particularly regarding the role and rights of women in contemporary society.