Women's mosque planned

The Tamil Nadu Muslim Women Jamaat has decided to go ahead with its plan to construct a separate mosque for women in Pudukottai, despite stiff opposition from various Muslim organisations, including the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam.

Speaking to reporters in Madurai Tuesday, D Sharifa Khanam, director, STEPS, a society established with an objective of developing women's self-confidence, said the mosque would be constructed though there were threats from 'male-dominated Muslim parties and Jamaats' against it.

"Why should women be discriminated in offering namaz in mosques? We too want to pray in mosques. So we are trying to construct one," Khanam said.

She said the "male-dominated Jamaat never cared for the emotions and feelings of women." They allowed talaq [divorce] in quick succession for men, without bothering about the women," she said.

Divorces, which have even been communicated through e-mail and on the phone also went into effect instantly. The women had no representation and the Jamaats would give them no justice, Khanam said.

Though women had sympathisers in some Jamaats, they were not allowed to raise their voice.

Polygamy and child marriage were some of the issues affecting Muslim women, who were also not educated, Khanam said.