The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday upheld the ban on hijab in educational institutes in the state, observing that the headscarf doesn’t form a part of essential religious practice. Faizan Khan spoke to eminent members of the Muslim community to get their views on the high court order and its likely impact on girls’ education
Students in Udupi district of Karnataka on February 16. Pic/PTI
What is your opinion on whether hijab is essential religious practice?
Yes, this is an essential part of our religion and there are a lot of women who wear hijab, some won’t as they believe that this is their personal choice, and the court has no right to decide about our religious practice because this is not their job. The court’s job is to protect our rights of freedom of religion, culture and expression, but unfortunately, this is not happening.
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How do you see the court ruling affecting the community, especially young women?
I believe this has been done to create obstacles for Muslim women who want to get educated by following their religion. There are a lot of women who have said that they won’t go to schools and colleges if hijab is not allowed. Who should be held responsible for keeping them away from schools and colleges? What is wrong if one is wearing a hijab inside the campus? This is going to have a huge impact across India as there are a lot of women who strongly believe in wearing a hijab as their personal choice and they feel safer.
Maulana Mehmood Ahmed Khan Dariyabadi, secretary general, All India Ulema Council
How will it affect the education of students in Karnataka, in the immediate future?
Like I said this will create obstacles for Muslim women’s education, which you will see first in Karnataka. But we still have faith in the judiciary and we believe that we will get justice from the Supreme Court.
How will this development shape the community’s views in terms of perceived majoritarianism?
There is no doubt that we are heading towards majoritarianism to disregard the wishes and needs of minorities. Here also, people from majority have started their protest on school campuses and young Muslim girls are hackled. The government says beti padhao but it literally did nothing to protect the rights of Muslim women. The court order is going to work as a booster for these protesters, and tomorrow they will tell Muslim women that you can’t wear hijab anywhere. Also, initially, I thought that this had nothing to do with majority and minority but the court order has shocked me and the entire community
Do you think the development will bring any lasting change within the community?
This is provocation and nothing else. As I said, we still have faith in the judiciary and we will go to the Supreme Court to ensure that our religious freedom is protected.
What is your opinion on whether hijab is essential religious practice?
It is an essential practice in various forms like lowering the gaze even for men too or cover the bosoms. Quran did not mention any type, form or colour of hijab. The whole idea is to protect women from bad eyes and to create respect for them in society. The Arabic word Aura describes every part of her body is Aura (aurat in Urdu) which means one who is covered for protection. Quran mentions a word Tabarrujna which has six meanings.
Uzma Naheed, director, Iqra Education Foundation Member, and former member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board
A. A woman wearing non-revealing clothes actually doing hijab
B. A woman who does not wear jingling jewellery while going out does hijab
C. A woman who does not use perfume which attracts men’s gaze...does hijab
D. A woman who walks on the side of the road and not in the centre does hijab
E. A woman who does not talk in a sweet tone with men does hijab
F. To safe guard her chastity
It seems Islam wants a woman to pose or behave like a cultured and educated lady so that she commands a respect in society.
How do you see the court ruling affecting the community, especially young women?
Since Muslim women's issues are being discussed in the media, they have become more cautious about their identity and practices. I have been working for women empowerment for the last 35 years. Many of them are working women and young girls. They don’t find any problem with hijab and they are mentally and physically most comfortable with it. Please note that those Muslim women or girls who do not wear hijab are not targeted or victimised or looked down upon by other Muslims. This is a myth.
How will it affect the education of students in Karnataka, in the immediate future?
Quran’s first revealed verse is IQRA means READ. Quran vehemently ordains both men and women to educate themselves. In schools, the uniform is compulsory but the problem started with some goons following Muskan in college. Muskan is studying in the second year of Commerce in college. No college insists on uniforms and students wear what they like. In schools, Muslim girls also wear uniforms, but some of them also wear a headscarf which they normally remove in the classroom to abide by the rules. This has just become or made a political issue which has nothing to do with Muslim practices. The good thing is that the community is seriously working on opening their own schools where Muslim girls can study without hindrances.
How will this development shape the community’s views in terms of perceived majoritarianism?
Today Muslim girls are aggressively going in for higher education. Last year I saw pictures of 5 Indian judges who were wearing scarves. Since earlier, burqa was the only form of hijab among Muslim women, the girls found it difficult to go to schools and colleges. But subsequently, they found a solution to this issue and started wearing hijab, which is also an Islamic practice. So in the last few decades, they smartly came out with the solution to climb up in higher education and get higher posts, too. I feel they are very clear in their view since they have deep knowledge of scriptures.
Do you think the development will bring any lasting change within the community?
I don’t think any change is necessary. Just as Hindu women are free to wear a bindi, mangalsutra, etc., which are their religious practices, same way what is wrong if a Muslim girl does or does not wear hijab. Let the girls decide what they want to wear.
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