Srinagar, Jun 10: Strongly advocating for providing space for women to pray in mosques, Mutahida Majlis-e-ulema patron Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Monday said that Islam emphasised participation of fairer gender and there due share.
“We need to understand and accord the rights guaranteed to women by Islam. Denying them their rights amounts to great injustice to them,” he said addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of a Masjid at Hawal here.
Mirwaiz welcomed the interest shown by the youth towards Islam and their desire to practice and follow the path shown by the great Prophet (SAW). He said the solution to most problems faced by people is provided in the Quran and Sunnah provided we look for it .
Mirwaiz said that while constructing mosques it should be equally kept in mind that “we have to provide separate spaces for women folk in every new Masjid to pray.”
Mirwaiz said that every day reports of domestic violence against women come to fore which is very shameful and which reflects “our attitude towards women as a society and our ignorance of their rights and dignity as emphasised by Islam.”
He said the same time women are kept stay away from the rights promised and guaranteed to them by Islam.
He said it is the basic responsibility of Ulema and Islamic scholars to create mass awareness about the rights and status of women in Islam during their sermons, lectures and writings and also educate women about it.
He said the respect they deserve in their homes and at their in-laws should also be stressed upon by Ulemas and scholars.
He said that providing spaces in Masjids for women will help in creating a sense of equality for them , besides helping both men and women in getting educated about women’s rights and changing the attitude in society. Mirwaiz said Ulemas should frequently raise issues of injustices towards women in society which includes domestic violence , demand for dowries, harassment at in-laws homes , issuers related to women’s right to property and all such things that they are confronted with .
Mirwaiz said that Kashmiri society has to play a collective role in ensuring protection to women.
