Islam allows entry of women in mosques: Muslim body tells Supreme Court
New Delhi : No women are prohibited entry to a mosque under Islamic tenets, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board told the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
"Islam permits the entry of women into mosques. However, unlike men, it is not mandatory for them to offer Friday prayers or attend congregational prayers," the Muslim body said in an affidavit filed in response to a petition seeking that women be allowed to "worship at all mosques".
The Muslim body also clarified that there is also no restriction on men and women offering prayers together.
"(We have) taken a stand as per Islamic texts that the entry of woman into mosques for namaz be permitted. Any other 'fatwa' to this effect may be ignored," news agency IANS quoted the Muslim body as saying in its affidavit.
The Muslim body also mentioned that the sanctity of a 'fatwa' is an opinion based upon religious texts, doctrine and their interpretation without having any statutory force, the court has no jurisdiction to restrain it.
"For instance, if some believer of Islam is of the opinion that he/she needs a religious opinion/fatwa based upon interpretations of religious texts, then delivering a 'fatwa' on that issue cannot be restrained by the judicial order of this court as the same will directly hit the right and freedom of that individual's religious belief," the affidavit read.
The issue of discrimination against women at several religious places will now be taken up in the court by a panel of nine-judges. The ban on entry of women at Sabarimala temple will also be discussed during the hearing.
Last October, the Supreme Court had issued a notice on the plea filed by Yasmeen Zuber Ahmad Peerzade and others, who maintained that restricting the entry of Muslim women into mosques across the country is unconstitutional and constitutes a violation of their fundamental right to life, equality and gender justice.
