Burqa ban of Muslim women is in talks these days. Recently the news have been in circulation that Sri Lanka High Court has banned burqa in the country after the Sri Lanka blasts this year.
Now one more revelation has come to view by Muslim Education Society (MES), Kozhikode, Kerela to ban face naqabs/veils in MES-run institutions. The society in this month issued a circular strictly directing it’s institutions to not let the female candidates sit in the class with their faces covered.
The instruction will be followed by all 150 institutes run under MSE, from this academic session i.e 2019-20 as asked by MSE Chief PK Fazal Gafoor.
The institutes that fall under the ambit of MES includes 10 professional colleges, 18 arts and science colleges, 12 higher secondary and 36-CBSE affiliated schools.
“The students even while maintaining high standards in curricular and extra-curricular activities, do follow certain decorum in the dress code too. We should discourage all undesirable practices on the campuses. Under these circumstances dresses that are unacceptable to the mainstream society- whether they are modern or religious cannot be promoted,” stated the circular released on April 17th, 2019 by MES.
“Covering the face is not inherent to the culture in Kerela, the tradition and practices of faith followed here. Students cannot even be recognized with their face veils nor students can follow the teachers well if they wear face veil,” said Fazal Gafoor.
Though, many Muslim community organisations have come in front to protest against the order of MES. Samastha Kerala Jam’eyyath ul-Ulama, one of the largest Muslim organisations run by Sunni Muslim Scholars, President Syed Muhammad have questioned MES society to “pass diktats” on religious issues.
“Women covering the face is part of our faith and it has been prevailing from the time of the prophet. There are religious organisations to take decisions on matters related to faith and and MES need not meddle in the issue,” said Muhammad.
On countering the matter Fazal Gafoor stated, “The high court has given educational institutions freedom to decide their dress codes. There is no need for any controversy over the issue.”
Hence, MES chief is also being questioned whether it has taken the step after Sri Lanka burqa ban,on denying the fact he explained that the circular was issued on April 17, days before Sri Lanka hit with bombardments. Sri Lanka blasts took place on April 21, 2019.