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| India-Pakistan |
| Co-education unlawful, says Deoband |
| 2007-07-07 |
| New Delhi, July 6: A fatwa issued by leading Islamic seminary Dar-ul-Uloom Deoband has ruled that co-education is ‘unlawful’ as the system has given rise to ‘a number of evils’ in colleges and universities. Muslim scholars, however, contested the fatwa, saying Islam does permit co-education but within certain parameters. The prestigious seminary, in a fatwa (decree) posted on its website on July 1, said: "The co-education system of colleges and universities is having a number of evils, therefore it is undoubtedly unlawful." The fatwa was issued in reply to a question from a member of the public whether a girl could attend co-educational institutions after reaching puberty. The Darul Ifta, the seminary's wing that issues fatwas, said even 'deeni' (religious) classes for grown up boys and girls are ‘un-Islamic and attending such classes is not allowed’. It asserted that it is ‘unlawful for women to meet non-Mahram men (men who are not their fathers or close kin) without hijab or mix with them’. It also said boys and girls could study together only till the age of 10. However, Muslim scholars said co-education is not unlawful if it is in accordance with Islamic values. "Studying in a co-education institution is not unlawful for boys and girls as long as they follow Islamic values and remain within its parameters," said All Indian Muslim Personal Law Board spokesman S Q R Ilyas. Referring to countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey where co-educational colleges exist, Ilyas said a girl wearing a veil could attend such institutions. He, however, agreed Islam prohibits the mixing of women with the opposite sex. Abdul Hameed Nomani, the spokesman of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and a Muslim scholar, said: "Islam favours education for all men and women but asks its followers to avoid mixing with non-Mahrams". All India Shia Personal Law Board spokesman Maulana Yasoob Abbas said such fatwas defame Islam and send out wrong signals to other communities. "Women are permitted to do every work which their male counterparts can do," he said, adding that women should follow the proper dress code, including wearing the hijab. |
| Posted by:John Frum |
| #1 A fatwa issued by leading Islamic seminary Dar-ul-Uloom Deoband has ruled that co-education is ‘unlawful’ We really, really must find a way to make stupidity extremely painful. It also said boys and girls could study together only till the age of 10. No matter, by that time the girls have all been |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-07-07 16:08 |