Malappuram: The largest conservative Sunni Muslim faction in the state organised a women’s conference for the first time in its history at Valancheri in the district on Saturday. Markazu Tharbiyathul Islamiya, an educational institution under the aegis of Samstha Kerala Jamiyathul Ulema, the largest Sunni scholars’ body, conducted its first convocation ceremony for women graduates as part of its 30th anniversary celebration. The all-women convocation ceremony was presided over by Sulfat Beevi Panakkad, wife of Muslim League Malappuram district president Sadiqali Shihab Thangal Panakkad. The other women members of the Panakkad Thangal family, which traditionally keeps its women members away from public events, also attended the event.
Wafiyya degree was conferred on 111 women who completed the five-year course, which include Islamic studies along with a recognized university degree, by the Markaz, a member of Cairo-based League of Islamic Universities. “The Markaz launched the special degree for the women five years ago as part of an effort to bring the Sunni women folk to the forefront by giving them quality religious and secular education. The programme has proved that all the women graduates are able to take up leadership roles in the society,” says Abdul Hakeem Faizy, principal and the architect of the course. The conference conducted by the Sunnis has surprised many in the community as it is a conservative faction often dubbed as anti-women in many women-related issues, including triple talaq.
